CED Newsletter - May 2010

Broadband Project Manager to Wrap-up Demand Aggregation Studies

During last week's Rural Connect Workshop in Redding, organized by California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), Ms. Emerson of the CSU, Chico Research Foundation's Center for Economic Development presented highlights from the Northeastern and Upstate Broadband Demand Aggregation studies. Final survey results show that a majority of both households (63.2% - 69.4%) and businesses (79.1% - 82.0%) throughout the 12-county region stated that access to high-speed internet is between somewhat and extremely important. However, an overwhelming majority said they were unwilling to pay more for a faster internet connection (households: 88.7% - 91.8%; businesses: 82.7% - 84.9%). Interestingly enough, another 95+% stated that the internet is not too expensive.

Does this mean that internet service providers are charging the market maximum for current service? It stands to reason that consumers do not want to pay more for their current service, but does this also mean that consumers, given better, faster service, are willing to pay more for it?

Final report is due out end of June 2010. Look for notifications as well as registration announcements for upcoming webinars sharing the broadband demand aggregation studies.

Broadband Statewide Mapping, Data Development, and Planning Grant

Maintaining (or fueling) the momentum gained through the broadband demand aggregation studies and the ARRA stimulus funding opportunities last summer, the CSU, Chico Research Foundation was awarded a contract for support services to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) statewide broadband mapping and planning grant. The CSU, Chico Research Foundation's Geographical Information Center (GIC) and Center for Economic Development (CED) partnered in a highly competitive showing of blended strengths to further the state's efforts to map expanded broadband coverage and promote the adoption of broadband services. Jason Schwenkler's team at GIC has been working with CPUC on validation and field verification of Internet service (both wired and wireless) provider coverage data gathered by the CPUC. Once aggregated, this coverage data will be used to create a statewide map showing more current coverage areas as submitted by Internet service providers throughout the state. CA's broadband map will then be joined with all other states' maps for a nationwide broadband map.   Updates are required every six months, for a period of three years (through June 2013).

Concurrently, CED's Broadband Project Manager Cathy Emerson will lead the broadband planning efforts statewide, to reach out and identify all entities actively promoting broadband adoption, with a special focus on Native American Indian communities. It is expected that formally searching and compiling such information will ultimately showcase the most successful methods and best practices for promoting broadband adoption, to be shared and perhaps replicated.   Asked how she felt about taking on such a daunting task, Emerson replied, "Are you kidding? What a way to travel and see this incredible state!   Seriously, I am now convinced that there are a variety of solutions to bridging this digital divide, and those solutions can happen."

Craig Settles to Consult with CSU, Chico Research Foundation's Center for Economic Development on Broadband Planning

The CSU, Chico Research Foundation's Center for Economic Development (CED) has contracted with Craig Settles of Successful.com and Co-Director of Communities United for Broadband for his industry knowledge as a subject matter expert in developing consensus around community broadband efforts.   Settles' role as a consultant with CED will include both high-level and in-depth critical analysis of data gathered by CED on various communities, projects, methods and initiatives promoting broadband adoption throughout the state (1Q report due CPUC end of June'30). Settles will help review and assess the data for trends, patterns, and best practices, ultimately laying the groundwork for ongoing broadband planning efforts statewide. This information will be reported to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) via the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) on a quarterly basis.

A nationally recognized expert in developing broadband business strategy, Settles has worked with several California cities to help them assess their broadband needs and develop plans for moving network projects forward.   Settles also worked with CED last summer while conducting workshops on developing strategies for broadband adoption. An accomplished author, his recent book, Fighting the Next Good Fight: Bringing True Broadband to Your Community, combined with his first book Fighting the Good Fight for Municipal Wireless, and numerous articles (both on-line and print), have established Mr. Settles as a recognized thought leader on broadband strategy.