The MN Broadband Task Force learned about computer ownership today. The Office of Broadband Development gave an update on BEAD and other work. They are planning to do a broadband conference on April 29, 2026, at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general, and the afternoon might include be tracks such as compliance.

The sub groups met for the second half of the meeting. I was able to meet with the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group. There are a few recommendations, including prioritizing funds for Line Extension.

10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.  Welcome

Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband

10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Approval of minutes from October Task Force Meeting
approved

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Digitunity Presentation
Present on work increasing computer ownership and methodology for a sustainable computer ownership ecosystem and its components of supply, preparation and deployment.
Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity and Karisa Tashijan, Senior Director of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Digitunity

Questions:

What can’t people do without a large screen?
Writing essays for your GED is very large. Telehealth can be OK but quality of care without large screen isn’t as effective. Writing resumes is harder. Anyone needing assistive technology is better off with a large screen.
Fragmented knowledge happens – folks can comment on Facebook but not read a spreadsheet.
Working remotely is hard without a large screen.

What about tablet vs large screen?
People need the tool they need. Chromebooks are OK with students. Tablets can be better with older folks.
That choice is not there right now.

Do you see use of single use computers like Raspberry Pi?
It’s not for wide use – but great for STEM training.
There are a lot of Chromebooks who have been able to turn an old Chromebook into a more useful device.
Affordability is a big deal. Maybe Raspberry Pi could be good if low cost.
Also we need computers that are more durable and more repairable.

About the MN stats – are there are more states like MN and economic info on why this makes sense?
Yes – we have maps on our website. The latest census report could be helpful. Are you asking – What about MN causes a higher level of computer ownership?
We are looking for stats for our annual report.

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.   Office of Broadband Development Overview
Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD

• Round 7-10 grants are open. Hoping to close our round 7 this year.
• Connected Nation has visited many times to do speed tests.
• Line Extension – contracted to complete projects within a year. Trying to get to locations that aren’t aligned with BEAD. There are 32 projects in rounds 1 and 2. 16 projects in round 3 and need to be done this year.
• Probably going to do a round 5 for Line Extension.
• Trying to use up Capital Project funds. Line Extension has been part of that.
• There are no addition funds from Border to Border grants to give out. Didn’t request state funding because of the promise of federal funds.
• BEAD
• Submitted final, revised proposal on Sep 4. Been going back and forth with them a not.
• Last week the proposal went to the NTIA tech group. They may make more recommendations and/or will move us forward. Waiting to hear about next step.
• We included 5 waivers for matches – but we heard that they are not interested in waivers. This is related to the newer cost thresholds. ($23,000 is the most we can ask for one location.) MN number per location is in conflict with some MN policies.
• New BEAD admin says – that ISPs accept BEAD funding in might make them ineligible to get other federal funding for those locations. That does concerns ISPs. Providers are less interested in accepting BEAD now and risking future funding. This is another layer of uncertainty
• We are working on environmental requirements with NEPA.
• OBD got training from Mankato State U on government, ethics and AI. It was excellent. We can be your resource on AI for the annual report.
• OBD is going to do a broadband conference – April 29, 2026 at the Heritage Center. Morning sessions will be general and afternoon might be tracks such as compliance.

How many households will get broadband from BEAD once funded?
By rule we need to serve 76,000. That is in conflict with things like state goals.
So we should mention that in the report – right?

11:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Other Business, December’s Meeting Plans, Wrap-up

May I give a presentation about my Digital Navigation training with Hennepin County Libraries?
Yes.

December meeting will be all together – hoping that the draft report is ready. No speakers are planned. We have heard that people like to do the report work during the meetings. We may need another meeting if the work isn’t done.

Subgroups will be working on statements of purpose and recommendations.

The background pieces will be created by the Office of Broadband Development.

11:30 a.m.—11:40 a.m.  Break

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Subgroup Work Sessions

Use Teams breakout rooms for subgroups to have time to work on their statement of purpose and recommendations for the annual report.

I’m joined the Mapping, Policy, and Funding group.

• They are looking for staff recommendations.
• Looking for folks to spell out acronyms.
• Looking for ways to call out addresses that won’t get broadband as defined by MN Legislature. And maybe that info would help make the case for Line Extension. Also, might be helpful to ask how many are registered but not available.
• Recommendations:
  • Advancing broadband deployment by aligning strategies with community needs. Adding in state supported coordination of nonprofit and community efforts – such as a kiosk where people can go to get info on other MN resources.
  • Cost reduction policies that could help with low density areas. Like sales tax exemptions for fiber.
  • Continue and expand mapping by the state to help inform policies and funding
  • Prioritize funding for Line Extension.
• We need to separate actual and legitimate locations
• Helpful to know what households are subscribing to.
• We’ve always had scalability of 100/100 required in grant applications. It seems like that could be a benchmark.
• What missing in the broadband world? We need the economic impact of broadband in general.
• It would be nice to have state maps that become the go-to, definitive map. And easy access to the maps.

Do we need to meet one more time after OBD reviews our draft?
Maybe. Or we can use the December meeting.

Do we have content for all of the pieces we need?
We could beef up info on what the state is doing for mapping for that it continues to be a funding priority.
yes. Not to get into the weeds but

Can I get more info for the task force wide email?
Yes