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#MNBroadband Conference Visioning
The document discusses broadband access in Minnesota. It provides context about supporters of broadband expansion efforts and recaps discussions from sessions on developing a shared broadband vision. Key points discussed include: 1) Networks need both fiber and wireless components to be high-speed and provide universal access. 2) Tools like state funding, policies, and collaboration are needed, as well as political will, business buy-in, and communication strategies. 3) Incentives for investment include empowering local communities, public-private partnerships to reduce costs, and funding sources like grants and loans coupled with promoting adoption. 4) Decision-makers should consider access that is symmetrical and long-term, eliminates disparities, and coordinates
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#MNBroadband Conference Visioning
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- 4. Conference Supporters • ArrowheadRDC • Association of MN Counties • Economic Development Association of MN • Fiber to the Home Council • Greater MN Partnership • Headwaters RDC • Initiative Foundation • League of MN Cities • MN Association of Community Telecommunications Administrators • MN Association of Townships • MN Rural Health Association • Northland Foundation • Northwest MN Foundation • Region Five Development Commission • Region Nine Development Commission • Resilient Region Virtual Highway Taskforce • Southern MN Initiative Foundation • Southwest Initiative Foundation • Southwest RDC • West Central Initiative
- 5. A starting placefor our work today Vision statement developed by our Strategy Board in 2004: To ensure a high quality of life and a globally competitive future for its citizens, businesses and communities, Minnesota is committed to making the necessary investment to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of ultra, high-speed next generation broadband.
- 6. Developing our SharedVision A Broadband Vision for MN Session I • What words in this vision statement do you like? • What would you add? • What would you take out? • What’s missing?
- 7. Our Vision Statement AllMinnesotans will use world class universal broadband networks that enable us to thrive in our communities and across the globe now and into the future.
- 8. Bringing our visionto life A Broadband Vision for MN Session II • What is your reaction to the draft Vision Statement? • What do we need for networks? • What tools do we need? (ex: state funding, legislative actions, policies, forums to promote/facilitate collaboration) • What do we need to do to incent the investment we need? • What key questions or principles should decision- makers keep in mind?
- 9. Q1 Sumarry: Whatdo we need for networks? • Fiber… plus wireless • Both kinds of networks: Human and Technical • Speed/bandwidth • Funding sources
- 10. Q2 Summary: Whattools do we need? • All of the above! State funding, legislative actions, policies, forums to promote/facilitate collaboration • Political will through regulations that promote fiber sharing, campaign finance laws, state financing and guaranteed loan programs • Big business buy-in • Dig once • Money • Communication Tools – Success stories / Case studies / models / Community education, clear sound bits – universal messaging
- 11. Q3 Summary: Whatdo we need to do to incent the investment we need? • Give more power to counties/communities to move forward to get better broadband • Encourage public-private to work together to streamline efforts and costs to lower barriers to deploy broadband (Dig Once, Streamlined permitting) • Provide funding (Grants, revolving funds, loans, tax credits) • Support adoption to build a business case to improve service by increasing take rate and promoting greater interest
- 12. Q4 Summary: Whatkey questions or principles should decision-makers keep in mind?• Connection speeds must be symmetrical • Think long term • Economic development, health and education all require broadband • Government must be involved • Eliminate the digital divide for all groups facing disparate access • Wired and wireless service are interdependent, not substitutes • Dig once, coordination and planning across infrastructures are essential • Why are other countries beating us? • High prices for broadband are like a tax on innovation.
- 13. Reviewing our workfrom Session II • What stands out to you among these ideas? – How do you make people from all sectors work together? – No longer asking “What is broadband?” We are now trying to figure out how to get it! – When there is a sense of urgency, things can be improved/implemented quicker than normal. – Could we follow in other countries’ footsteps? Which ones? – Other countries may have better access to BB because they have a “global perspective.” We need to change our perspective.
- 14. Reviewing our workfrom Session II • What surprises you or concerns you? – There is a wall present--not a lot of interest or much discussion in the public sector surrounding BB – Lack of a sense of urgency – The thought/idea that BB is not an important topic/subject to put money into- again, no sense of urgency. • What excites you? – The new maps! – Excited to see people from all corners of MN, especially county people-so the word can be spread to local legislators,etc. • What’s missing? – Getting politicians to recommit-- dealing with the realities of political ups and downs is worth talking about. – The discussion needs to get outside this room-spread the word!