Broadband Country

Broadband CountrySpringdale APA Conference

Kelleigh ColeGovernor’s Office of Economic Development

Emery PolelonemaSix County AOG

John M. JansonAICP

Session Intent

• Explore our reliance on Broadband• Understand Broadband trends in Utah• Attain a Rural and Tribal Perspective• Discuss possible government roles

Introduction

• Growth of Broadband• Essential service• Expectations• Once they were ugly

towers but now?

What is Broadband?Broadband refers to high-speed Internet access, which can be obtained through several technologies such as wireless, fiber, cable, DSL and satellite

Utah is #1 in home broadband adoption in the nation with 80% of homes in subscribed to the Internet

According to Akamai Technologies, Utah has the 5th fastest Internet speeds with the #1 fastest Internet in the west, outranking California

108 cities in Utah increased their broadband speeds to over 1 Gig from 2010 to 2013

How Does Broadband Impact the Day-to-Day Lives of Utahns?

Education Economic Development Healthcare Transportation

Public Safety Agriculture Energy and Environment Tourism

Utah Broadband Project

Purpose• Map available

broadband services• Develop a plan to

increase broadband adoption and deployment

Mapping Efforts

Map service areas of all residential broadband service providers who own infrastructure

Utah Broadband Map

Current State Coverage

• Percentage of households at or above 3 Mbps

• Percentage of households at or above 10 Mbps

• Percentage of households at or above 25 Mbps

Broadband Challenges in Rural Utah

• Lower population density• Higher deployment cost• Greater geographical

distances• Coordinating with federal

land agencies

2011 Utah Broadband Adoption Survey Results

Utah’s rural communities do not have a lower broadband adoption rate than their non-rural counterparts

Many of Utah’s rural communities are able to identify multiple broadband options in their area

Utah’s rural communities do not pay higher prices for Internet service than their non-rural counterparts, and are even willing to pay more for broadband services

Regional Planning Efforts

Regional Broadband Planning Councils• Identify key issues• Conduct a needs

assessment• Identify recommendations

and priorities• Draft a regional plan (June

2014)

Regional Planning Efforts

Goals• Increase collaboration on a

local level between public and private stakeholders

• Educate local stakeholders on broadband issues

• Inform state leadership on local broadband issues

Rural and Tribal Perspectives

• Tribal Outreach – 8 Tribes in Utah• Rural Area Constituents – Micro Communities

matter• Q1: Do you have suggestions on how different

stakeholders can work together to improve broadband adoption?

• Q2: Has it become a basic necessity, essential for everyone?

Talking Points – Reaching Out

• Know your people – who, where, & how can we interact

• Communicate both directions e.g. tribal forum tested listening skills

• Persistent Collaboration with Trust & Cooperation

• Identify what both parties need e.g. ARA $32M

The AOGs

Six County AOG Region

Central Utah’s Six Co. Area

• Juab - 10,341 pop. Area = 3,406 SQ. MI.• Millard - 2,569 pop. Area = 6,828 SQ. MI.• Piute - 1,524 pop. Area = 766 SQ. MI.• Sanpete- 27,906 pop. Area = 1,603 SQ. MI.• Sevier- 20,784 pop. Area = 1,918 SQ. MI.• Wayne - 2,737 pop. Area = 2,466 SQ. MI.• Total - 75,861 pop. 16,987 SQ. MI.

Six Co. Communities & Tribal

• 49 Incorporated Towns• Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (HQ Cedar City)• Kanosh Band in Millard County• Koosharem Band in Sevier County• Confederated Tribes of Goshutes in Juab

County

Navajo Nation BB Project

• Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) data center

• The Navajo Nation leverage a $32 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in 2010

• Expanded broadband Internet across its land in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah

Navajo Nation BB Project

• Some stakeholders lost out due to lack of cooperation

• Pro-Action by Navajo Nation• Need for collaboration across State Lines• Share of info on successful projects• NNBB Project will connect Page AZWhat do we need to do from Utah side?

Tribal Forum - Participants

Board of Supervisor & Paiute Chair

Koosharem Band Chair

San Juan Paiute Chair

Hopi TribalChair

PITU Econ. Dir & Sevier Co. Comm.

Commissioner Piute County

Is there a new government role?

• Google, UTOPIA, Partnerships• Infrastructure means:– Overhead cable and fiber– Underground– Wireless

• Should government begin to facilitate Broadband infrastructure?

• If so, how?

How can government facilitate Broadband infrastructure ?

Local Government. Increase coordination, communication, and collaboration through such techniques as:

• Create an electronic list of local providers, districts, and utilities – use UBAC resources

• Hold a providers (wired and wireless) meeting to determine lead time needs for trench coordination and potential cost sharing policies. Consider inviting, blue stakes, trench and wire/fiber installation companies, and any agencies/departments that build significant projects.

Government options

• Coordinate with City departments, developers, and districts on major projects. Set up a reporting schedule and project mapping system.

• Request fiber build schedules from providers. Consider cost sharing policies.

• Request project schedules for UDOT and/or County roads• Review permitting processes to expedite broadband

deployment. Evaluate public structures for potential wireless service installations. Modify zoning laws

• Consider regular coordination meetings to improve communication

• Consider partnerships that do not limit competition

Government options

• Make a plan!!!• Add an element to your General Plan– Infrastructure needs assessment– System problems– Plan to address deficiencies and encourage more

infrastructure

Broadband Country

• Yes, it is here• Yes, we want it everywhere in the ol’ Country

of the Red, White and Blue

• Thank you!