csac annual conference ready, set, broadband! dianah neff it director december 2, 2015 information...
DESCRIPTION
The FCC Broadband Progress Report reported that 17 percent of the U.S. population lacks access to broadband internet. The broadband gap is widest in rural communities. This statistic accurately describes poor internet access in rural portions of Monterey County. The Pew Research Center has found that high-speed internet service often is too expensive for lower income families with school-age children. 27,417 households in rural MC do not have access to any type high-speed internet. Based on data from the CPUC, we compared Charter's broadband service reports with their DIVCA video franchise area data, and found that 109,061 residents live in rural areas with analog or DSL service only. A Significant Number of Monterey County Residents Do Not Have Access to Reliable, High Speed Internet Information Technology DepartmentTRANSCRIPT
CSAC Annual ConferenceReady, Set, Broadband!
Dianah NeffIT Director
December 2, 2015
Information Technology Department
County of Monterey
Monterey County
Monterey County was one of the original counties of California. It was created on February 18, 1850, at statehood and derives its name from Monterey Bay, named by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602. Encompassing 3,771 sq. miles, Mo nterey County has grown into a diverse economy based upon tourism in coastal regions, agriculture in the Salinas Valley, and educational-research opportunities. With a population of 426,762, the races are 56% Hispanic or Latino, 33% white, 6% Asian and 5% other The County is served by three cable operators: Comcast and AT&T in coastal regions; and City of Salinas with Charter covering North and South County. One of the major complaints on ability to attract additional research and hi-tech companies to the County is the lack of broadband.
Information Technology Department
The FCC Broadband Progress Report reported that 17 percent of the U.S. population lacks access to broadband internet. The broadband gap is widest in rural communities. This statistic accurately describes poor internet access in rural portions of Monterey County.
The Pew Research Center has found that high-speed internet service often is too expensive for lower income families with school-age children. 27,417 households in rural MC do not have access to any type high-speed internet.
Based on data from the CPUC, we compared Charter's broadband service reports with their DIVCA video franchise area data, and found that 109,061 residents live in rural areas with analog or DSL service only.
A Significant Number of Monterey County Residents Do Not Have Access to Reliable, High Speed Internet Information Technology Department
Charter Video Franchise Areas - Broadband Service Analysis
Franchise area with no broadband service Total franchise area
Franchise area with no broadband service
CountyCensus blocks
Housing units Population
Census blocks
Housing units Population
Census blocks
Housing units
Population
Del Norte 24 2 0 975 10,393 27,055 2% 0% 0%El Dorado 5 35 8 905 21,559 29,748 1% 0% 0%Fresno 174 2,455 9,873 174 2,455 9,873 100% 100% 100%Kern 1,714 5,152 13,950 1,716 5,222 14,139 100% 99% 99%Los Angeles 2,145 39,219 110,582 24,997 761,079 2,139,674 9% 5% 5%Merced 63 201 669 460 8,946 31,833 14% 2% 2%Modoc 277 1,644 3,371 277 1,644 3,371 100% 100% 100%Monterey 1,818 27,417 109,061 1,818 27,417 109,061 100% 100% 100%Orange 38 902 2,427 46 1,168 3,202 83% 77% 76%Placer 11 24 9 397 11,825 9,954 3% 0% 0%Riverside 370 3,388 9,654 5,010 157,232 513,045 7% 2% 2%San Benito 48 170 506 1,011 15,087 48,059 5% 1% 1%San Bernardino 5,790 93,117 283,439 15,304 324,302 870,655 38% 29% 33%San Joaquin 65 263 676 625 8,615 23,708 10% 3% 3%San Luis Obispo 234 389 769 5,177 105,812 234,178 5% 0% 0%Santa Barbara 12 2 5 91 1,894 7,100 13% 0% 0%Santa Clara 139 424 1,296 1,546 30,258 94,794 9% 1% 1%Santa Cruz 90 818 1,972 1,126 29,417 89,238 8% 3% 2%Shasta 41 156 392 1,132 54,957 129,382 4% 0% 0%Sierra 2 8 10 2 8 10 100% 100% 100%Stanislaus 127 461 1,879 2,784 65,763 200,134 5% 1% 1%Tehama 14 120 314 733 11,224 26,619 2% 1% 1%Tulare 2,251 27,633 91,767 3,841 49,071 161,411 59% 56% 57%Ventura 1,708 50,967 136,362 2,331 69,298 179,425 73% 74% 76%Total 17,160 254,967 778,991 72,478 1,774,646 4,955,668 24% 14% 16%
Impact on Rural AreasHealth Care Stroke victims have a three-hour window in which to receive serious treatment after a stroke, and
for a person living alone in a community that lacks broadband, that means the start of treatment has a high probability of falling outside of that window. Broadband internet enables emergency responders to communicate with a hospital emergency room team, and thus to treat the patient while the patient is still at home and en-route to the hospital. Sufficient broadband internet access is necessary to make this early, critical treatment possible.
Education Although public access to technology is increasing, computers in libraries and schools are not
enough. Studies show that children who have access to computers and the internet at home have higher self-esteem as a result of developing new skills and taking a pro-active approach to learning and exploring their interests.
Digital Service Disparity In Watsonville (Santa Cruz County), residents can receive more than 200 channels of HDTV, 60
Mbps Internet service, unlimited long distance telephone calling, and a DVR for as little as $70 a month, on an introductory basis. In Charter areas in MC, residents can only buy 32 channels of basic television service for $55, plus four channels of premium service sold on an a la carte basis for $12 to $14 each, with no discounts for bundles. There is no internet service or unlimited long distance telephone service available for purchase.
Information Technology Department
Capitalize on Key Pillars of Monterey County’s Economy
Pursue Innovative Opportunities for Growth
A Vision for Economic Development In Monterey County
Recreation & Wellness
Education
Research & DevBlue Economy
Agri-Technology
Tourism
Education, Research, & Technology
Small Business
Agriculture
Targeted marketing for niche tourists, and support Laguna Seca Recreation Area improvements and State Route 156 highway widening
Nurture research/academic resources and support the California Homeland Security Consortium
Reduce regulatory burdens, support technical assistance, and expand broadband service & research
Create the Salinas Valley Wine Corridor and monitor key federal and state legislation
Become a destination of choice for enthusiasts of outdoor recreation and for health-conscious individuals
Become a center for a new class of vacation/recreation activity focused on environmental study and world-class forums in marine science
Become a “thought leader” and experimental test-bed for new types of maritime commerce and for policy innovations in water and land management
Enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Ag processes for local firms, and create a Center of Excellence for exporting technologies and expertise to other regions
Current Actions
– A grant funded private sector fiber build-out to expand fiber into North Monterey County from City of Watsonville through Salinas to Soledad has begun. Completion date is expected in spring 2017.
– Information Technology Department successfully negotiated an agreement between CENIC and the County Library to connect to their statewide educational, gigabyte network at no additional cost, eliminating the library’s slower speed connections.
– We are working with CENIC to connect four hospitals in Monterey County.– Monterey County has filed as a party to the Charter/Time Warner merger to
present information to educate the CPUC on deficiencies in Charter’s services, and request that the merger be approved only if the needs of rural residents are upgraded from analog to digital and a low income rate is offered.
– Economic Development Department is working with AMBAG to identify fiber build out opportunities.
Information Technology Department