funded by the american recovery and reinvestment act of 2009 state broadband initiative hifld...
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Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Leveraging Broadband in Rural and Remote Communities
March 2014
Anne Neville National Telecommunications and Information Administration
www.ntia.doc.gov
Broadband and Economic Development
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Alaska Resources – The State of Play
“Regional Applications for a Digital Economy” SWAMC, Dec 2012– www.swamc.org/files/RegionalApplicatonsDigitalEconomy_FINAL.pdf – Discusses broadband availability, adoption and prices in southwest Alaska
Alaska Broadband Task Force Draft Plan: “A Blueprint for Alaska’s Future, A Report from the Statewide Broadband Task Force,” Aug 2013
– http://www.alaska.edu/files/oit/bbtaskforce/2013-08-AK-Broadband-Task-Force-Report|A-Blueprint-for-Alaska%27s-Broadband-Future.pdf
– Discusses statewide need, current assets, recommendations, cost of implementation, great examples of current uses of IT and broadband in communities throughout the state
Toward Universal Broadband in Rural Alaska: An Analysis of Internet Use in Southwest Alaska, Dr. Heather Hudson, ISER, Nov 2012
– http://www.iser.uaa.alaska.edu/Publications/2012_11-TERRA.pdf– Studies internet use in SW AK, particularly those served through Terra SW
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
SWAMC Report Findings and Recommendations Report makes three key findings… (direct quotes, page iii)
The region has wide variation in levels of available connectivity; significant portions are likely to be dependent on satellite-delivered broadband in the foreseeable future.
The region’s technologists, especially in schools and health care facilities, are pushing the highest possible levels of applications across their networks, constrained by available bandwidth.
Most organizations are focused on solving their own connectivity issues by themselves or within their economic sector rather than at the community level.
And makes four recommendations… (direct quotes, page iii)
Raise the level of interest and concern about broadband. Form and support a regional technology council to develop collaborative broadband access and adoption
strategies. Provide local businesses with e-business training and consulting they need to succeed in the digital marketplace. Encourage use and development of broadband applications. Support at least one community location where residents have access to high-speed internet connection of at
least 20 Mbps.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Sample of BB Task Force Draft Plan Recommendations Adopt an objective of symmetrical 100 Mbps service to home and businesses. Establish an Office of Broadband Policy Encourage each community to implement its own last-mile solution and incentivize 24 hour
internet access at community centers/meeting places Establish public-private partnerships with industry innovators and entrepreneurs Public-private partnership models for technology training, production, and adoption in
communities in (i.e., rural, low-income, immigrant, senior populations).
Streamline state e-government systems and foster improved user access, ease of use, application development, and deployment through MyAlaska.
Create training programs for knowledge workers, technicians, and web-based industries Establish and fund the Alaska Center for e-learning and e-commerce (AkCee) Create an incentive for organizations to provide digital literacy programs that facilitate
broadband adoption.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
ISER Report: Econ Dev Related Conclusions (direct quotes, pg 32)
IT Employment: Concerns among both residents and organizations serving villages about needs for digital literacy training and technical support indicate there will be a need for more technical support workers, particularly in villages.
Productivity: Commercial businesses and nonprofit organizations all stated that broadband would be very beneficial in improving their productivity.
Funding and Jobs: Regional nonprofit organizations and Tribal councils said that broadband would help them to access funding and training opportunities…
Seasonal Employment: Seafood processors and tourist lodges are major employers of seasonal workers who would use broadband to stay in touch with family and friends, and for entertainment.
Note: Pages 26-29 explore use by Businesses and Organizations Note: Internet and cell phone use is widespread in remote communities with
access
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Econ Dev in NTIA-funded Alaskan Broadband Projects Bridging the eSkills Gap Alaska, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (Sustainable
Broadband Adoption, BTOP Award, NTIA):– http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/university-of-alaska-fairbanks
Online with Libraries (OWL), Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (Public Computing Center, BTOP Award, NTIA)
– http://library.alaska.gov/dev/owl.html – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-OWL-Project/286626654693376 – http://
www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/alaska-department-of-education-early-development
Connect Alaska (State Broadband Initiative Award, NTIA) – www.connectak.org– http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-alaska
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Online with Libraries (OWL) Project
• 97 libraries across the state now have video conferencing• 67 libraries now have increased bandwidth and new computers in
order to support video conferencing • Min broadband speeds defined at 1.5 Mbps symmetrical • See a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kyFhZe2so#
Economic Development and Workforce Development• OWL has used their videoconferencing systems so that food
handlers can take their boards and become/retain certification.
Can’t travel to get your certification? No job. Take the certification over video conference = Job Opp + No Travel.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Online with Libraries (OWL)
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Online with Libraries (OWL) Project
“Based in public libraries, but accessible to people who are not in public libraries”
Contact Information: Sue Sherif
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Bridging the eSkills Gap Alaska – University of Alaska, Fairbanks
“Part of BESG’s interest was to explore digital activity growth that might be related to expanding bandwidth opportunities in rural areas of Alaska.” (pg 13)
BESG had a “mobile video capture kits” program, which trained BESG partners to easily capture and upload educational material and events to a publicly available server. “(pg 12)
“The BESG grant supported many of its member organizations in the creation and delivery of training and educational programs that helped Alaskans develop important workplace skills”
Contact Information: Dr. John Monahan, [email protected], 907.590.0376
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Bridging the eSkills Gap Alaska – University of Alaska, Fairbanks (cont’d)
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s (ANTHC) Telehealth Coordinator Certificate (TCC): To meet the growing need for trained telehealth personnel, ANTHC partnered with the University of Alaska to design and deliver the Telehealth Director’s Certificate. (18)
AK State Hospital and Nursing Home Assoc (ASHNHA): Using the mediasite equipment BESG provided ASHNHA was able to offer training seminars in topics related to health management. For example, in the spring of 2013 ASHNA offered a workshop on improving collaboration between the financial and clinical staff at hospitals. (25)
LOCAL TECH SUPPORT
Alaska Vocational Technical Education Center’s Village Internet Agent Program: The program trained students to install and maintain computer and broadband network technologies in rural Alaska. Graduates work for broadband providers or support are prepared local or regional organizations that use broadband. Students receive a certificate stating that “qualified for employment as Rural Internet Technicians”
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Rural Internet Technician Locator: http://www.avtec.edu/RITLocator.htm
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Bridging the eSkills Gap Alaska – University of Alaska, Fairbanks (cont’d)
The Power of Partnerships
“ Without BESG’s partnership structure, neither the accomplishments of its individual members, nor the accomplishment of BESG as an entity, would have been possible. A major benefit and strength of this partnership structure was the diversification of BESG’s partners and the collaborations that transpired across career market sectors (education, health and medical, for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, and media networks).
Each of the partners had a select, focused group of end users that would not typically be accessible by another agency. For example, schools did not normally work with the same end users as the Native Corporations or Regional Hospitals. This grant gave them the opportunity to do so.” (34)
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Local Planning Works, Builds Partnerships Nevada: In Genoa, NV the town hosts an annual arts and crafts fair called the, “The Candy Dance.” 40,000
people visit for the event, providing a huge amount of the annual revenue for the town and local residents. The community faced a public safety and economic challenge because there were so many people that the already moderate cell/mobile broadband coverage was overloaded. Officials couldn’t reach appropriate personnel if an emergency arose. Members of the community attended a local broadband meeting planning and began discussing the lack of mobile coverage at the event. As a result, the community champion was able to then secure a Cell on Wheels (COW) for the event. This allowed greater capacity for everyone who attended and the vendors were able to accept payments using the Square or other credit-card enabled devices .
Utah: Big Water, (pop: a tourist town near Lake Powell, joined a regional planning team to advocate for the better broadband in the town. The area is difficult to reach because of the concentration of federal land in the area. The UT project team spoke with the Utah Education Network and determined that a local school would be receiving wireless access through an E-Rate funded connection . The project team then contacted the provider that is connecting the school ,and as a result, the provider is now working with the community and developing a plan to deploy a residential wireless offering.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
The Power of Local Planning • Lots of resources are available
• You don’t have to reinvent the wheel• Opportunity to informally or formally work with your neighbors to share information and strategize about ways
to increase access or adoption, or to use technology in new ways• Local Solutions, Local Victories: “The credit completely goes to these local leaders [on the broadband
teams] that actually gauged their local needs and found various sources of support to help them achieve their broadband goals. “ – State Broadband Initiative leader
Examples: • A full toolkit: http://bit.ly/Connecting_Communities_Guide (Southern Rural Development Center)• A tourist town in the north woods of Wisconsin works together to increase broadband access: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QOVnG-l_wY&list=PLjPUBxi_Dgvtz5BarDQjZJN1lCKBzN8Fv&index=9 • Community fair • Econ dev plan• Local businesses create websites to market goods during off-season
• University of Wisconsin- Ext community guide: http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdf
• Rural Telecommunications Congress Wiki: http://innovativecommunities.pbworks.com
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Local Broadband Planning (Framework Example)
http://broadband.uwex.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CAN-Guide-FINAL.pdf
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Planning Teams can focus on WHATEVER
the LOCAL COMMUNITY wants to TACKLE
While these economic development stories from Broadband Task Force Draft Plan did not originate from
local planning teams, they easily could have.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
“In Chevak, a community of approximately 900 people located near the Western Alaska coast, Native artisans are renowned for their work in basketry and doll making. Now efforts are underway to preserve traditional art skills though enabling the younger generation to use their technology skills to create websites that highlight the older generations’ artwork and make them available to the world for purchase. The result: village e-commerce and an income stream for Native artisans. The creative process had Elders bringing their artwork to the public school, where Internet designers used mobile phone/tablet cameras and mobile apps to take pictures of the artwork.” (pg 14)
“In other parts of Alaska, representatives from the website Etsy, headquartered in New York, visited five Alaska communities to research the opportunities and challenges of setting up Etsy online shops. The Alaska Native Arts Foundation hosted three community events to introduce and inform artists about Etsy in Anchorage, Savoonga, and Nome where more than 20 artists attended. The Etsy team assisted nine Alaska Native artists in Savoonga, Nome, Anchorage, Wasilla, and Sutton to establish online shops. Etsy’s video on Inupiat artist Sylvester Ayek helped him realize 10,830 views and earn a profit on the sale of his work. To date, artists including Ayek have sold 16 pieces, proving that Etsy is an e-commerce option for Alaska Native artists to market their work.” (Pg 14)
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Or A Community Might Consider a Project like this , from
Connect Alaska & the Association of Alaska School Boards
Webraising in Metlakatla, AK
Leveraging the Entrepreneurial SpiritArtwork & Crafts
Adventure and Cultural Tourism
http://vimeo.com/69070326
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
And additional broadband-focused econ development examples
Kansas: The State of Kansas Department of Commerce used their broadband map and its data to promote economic development by working with a customer service company to identify communities with the broadband necessary to support home-based workers. As a result, the customer service company hired about 200 workers in the state, providing much-needed jobs in small towns that may have otherwise been overlooked for this work.
South Dakota: The State of South Dakota’s Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) facilitated the planning teams composed of state IT personnel to provide network assessments across South Dakota. The team assessed community organizations including, schools and local government institutions, and helped them to pinpoint specific opportunities for infrastructure improvements that would improve broadband speeds, usage, and adoption. In many cases, they fixed or provided support to equipment onsite.
Arkansas: Connect Arkansas is working with 17 counties in the state to help them start an engaging, transactional, and informational website to increase the efficiency of local governments and access to citizen services. For example, Sharp County is home to a number of tourist attractions and festivals, as well as Cherokee Village, a resort-retirement community with retirees from Arkansas and across the country. Since the launch of the property tax feature on its new e-government website on March 1, 2012, Sharp County has collected $360,000 dollars in property taxes online. As a result of the website, County Collector Charlotte Ratliff estimates that her staff has saved nearly a full week in time as well as postage and stationery fees.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
(Open) Data, the Sharing Economy and Economic Development
Alaska: GearSpoke, Anchorage, is a website offering a forum for people in Anchorage to rent outdoor gear from neighbors on the cheap (peer-to-peer rentals). Listings include tents, outdoor grills, kayaks, fishing equipment, and skis. Financial transactions are completely secure through PayPal. (AK Broadband Task Force Report)
Alaska: Tenant Watch, Anchorage and Fairbanks, is a Consumer Reporting Agency that has been providing fraud prevention and risk reduction tools for property managers since 1994. Tenant Watch provides a service to screen potential renters, helping landlords with only a few units to multi-property management companies. The growing service inspects credit reports, eviction history, and other court documents including sex offender lists. The resulting report has a typical turnaround time of within 15 to 30 minutes of receiving a renter’s application. (AK Broadband Task Force Report)
Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Broadband Institute launched a website aimed at helping veterans and their families access services, information, and opportunities available to them. The site, www.MassVetsAdvisor.org, allows veterans to review more than 360 benefits programs based on their service branch and other criteria to list only the benefits and services that each veteran is qualified for, including an "action plan" to apply for the benefits.
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
(Open) Data, the Sharing Economy and Economic Development
Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009State Broadband Initiative HIFLD Working Group Presentation
Maker Spaces, Fab Labs and 3D Printers
ALASKA
With the help of the OWL project, teens in Craig, AK built a 3D printer from scratch.
Anchorage Public Library is getting a 3D printer and building an innovation lab
Fab lab in in Fairbanks
Tim Miller, Branch Manager of the Simla Library, CO shares his experiences establishing a new media lab in a small town with a population of 1,000. http://bit.ly/1lAm1Sp