FCC Mapping’s short window for location challenges
The FCC unveiled their broadband maps and speed test. They will influence BEAD funding made available to each state; therefore it’s important that the information be correct. However, there are concerns with veracity; for example, the new FCC maps show Minnesota has ubiquitous broadband at speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 up. Right now the FCC is asking households and communities to check out the map and report back if it doesn’t seem right. There are other issues (such as Will BEAD fund unlicensed spectrum?) but for most readers, checking your location is a good first step to helping Minnesota maximize investment.

Minnesota Broadband Task Force Draft Report
At the November MN Broadband Task Force, the members reviewed and discussed the upcoming Annual Report. The notes include screenshots of the draft report. They came up with average broadband deployment cost per household of $9300.

You can now apply for Minnesota Broadband Line Extension Funding
People can report to OBD that a wired broadband service is unavailable at their residence or business to get funding to procure broadband.

State News    

• Minnesota is approved for $44 million in Capital Projects Fund
• Barbara Dröher Kline is newest addition to MN Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
• Senator Putnam is chosen for MN Agriculture, Rural Development and Broadband
• Why do farms need broadband? MN farmers will let you know
• Broadband is a priority for Minnesota Farm Bureau
• Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities talks up Broadband success

Federal News

• Benton Institute offers four broadband adoption lessons for policymakers
• Digital Equity Ecosystems Measurement Framework: A tool to help you assess your community digital equity resource level
• Senator Klobuchar talks about importance of precision agriculture
• FCC to collect data on ACP recipients, subscriptions and offerings
• FCC unveils new broadband labels
• Update on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
• Senator Smith to support better broadband in next Farm Bill
• The American Library Association offers ideas for including then in your digital equity plans
• CTC heads to DC to talk about jobs and broadband

Vendor News  

• Want to attract and retain broadband customers? Be up front about costs
• Frontier is simplifying product and tiered pricing to “un-cable”
• Lumen (CenturyLink) won’t reach FTTH to 1 million in 2022
• East Central Energy (ECE) officially enters the broadband business

Local Broadband News

Aitkin County
$4.8 M Aitkin County Broadband scheduled completion in fall 2023

Austin
Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC) update with Austin MN

Big Stone, Lincoln and Pine Counties Austin and Warroad
Blandin Broadband Communities chat on digital equity projects in Big Stone, Lincoln and Pine Counties, Austin and Warroad

Duluth
A Duluth stargazer view of Satellites: will too many spoil the view?

Duluth Fiber Lincoln Park Project testing waters for larger municipal roll out

Fillmore County
Telehealth is part of the solution to the maternity care desert in Fillmore County

Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi is frustrated with broadband flurries but moving forward where they can

Le Sueur County
Warm wishes on a cold night celebrating broadband in Le Sueur County
Le Sueur Broadband Fair: well attended and raising awareness

Lower Sioux
MN Lower Sioux gets almost $2 million for broadband

Mille Lacs County
The latest news on Mille Lacs County broadband hope and plans

Minneapolis
Broadband price disparities in Minneapolis are some of the worst

St Louis County
Paul Bunyan Communications connects 600 homes in St Louis County

Willmar
Willmar to invest $42,000 in broadband mapping

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

• Dec 19: MN Broadband Task Force Meeting (Hybrid)
• OPPORTUNITY: RUS Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant applications are open!
• OPPORTUNITY: Nominations Open: Benton Digital Equity Champions deadline Dec 19
• OPPORTUNITY: MN PUC is looking for members
• OPPORTUNITY: What is the American Connection Corps? And what do they do?
• OPPORTUNITY: You could be living in the next Intelligent Community
• OPPORTUNITY: The Just Transition Fund supports MN and other areas
• OPPORTUNITY: Job opening for Regional Outreach Director for Senator Klobuchar
• OPPORTUNITY: Job opening Manager of Broadband
• OPPORTUNITY: Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program now open
• OPPORTUNITY: President/CEO position for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• OPPORTUNITY: Time to take a survey? Digital Equity Vision + Framework
• RESOURCE: Recommendations to Prevent Digital Discrimination
• RESOURCE: Asset Mapping for Digital Inclusion
• RESOURCE: NDIA Releases State Digital Equity Plan Toolkit