WV GIS Conference

Jimmy GianatoDirector

WV Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Governor’s Commitment• “I believe it is possible in the very near future to establish ourselves as a

state that is broadband wired from border to border and that can effectively communicate, interact and compete with people and businesses not just across the country but around the world. Our goal as an administration, working with the legislature and service providers, is that by 2010 all West Virginians will have the opportunity to use broadband at home and work. Just like our efforts to expand water and sewer availability in West Virginia, broadband access is an essential piece of infrastructure that is critical to our future success”

• • Gov. Joe Manchin, III • January 10, 2007• State of the State Address• - On Broadband for West Virginia

House bill 4637

• Recognizes the importance of BB for the future of WV in Economic Development, Education, Health Care and Public Safety

• Created the Broadband Deployment Council– Consisting of 11 voting members from various

disciplines with an interest in Broadband– 4 members of the legislature serving in ex-officio

advisory capacities• Created the Broadband deployment fund

House bill 4637

• Established a definition for BB for WV– Always on-Non-dial up –with a minimum up or

downstream rate of 200 kbps with a minimum downstream to upstream ration of 10:1 up to 5 mbps and a min of 500 kbps upstream for services with a downstream rate of 5 mbps or greater

• Connects the definition to the FCC definition which was 200 kbps at the time of passage with language suggesting that the rates be promptly adjusted as the FCC definition changes.

House bill 4637

• Broadband Deployment Council – Promote the deployment of BB in “unserved”

areas of the state– Not interfere with deployment by private industry

in areas where it is economically feasible– Map the state to determine where BB is and is

not available and at what level– Propose legislative rules– Receive and disperse funds– Hire an outside expert to assist

Unserved Definitions

• Type 1 unserved area: an area in which broadband may be deployed by service providers in an economically feasible manner;

• Type 2 unserved area: an unserved area in which broadband may be deployed by broadband service providers and other entities in an economically feasible manner, provided some form of public moneys is made available

Unserved Definition

• Type 3 unserved area: an unserved area in which, at present, cable or wireline broadband cannot be deployed in an economically feasible manner and an intermodal approach employing other technologies, such as satellite and wireless, is required to provide that area with high-speed internet access

Funding

• Bars funding of any project where the minimum downstream rate is less than 600 kbs and the ratio of downstream to upstream is less than 8.5 to 1 up to 5 mbps

• Where the rate is greater than 5 mbps, the upstream rate must be at least 588 kbps

New FCC Definitions and Mapping requirements

• Broadband Tier 7 Greater than 100Mbps• Broadband Tier 6 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps• Broadband Tier 5 10 Mbps to 25 Mbps• Broadband Tier 4 6 Mbps to 10 Mbps• Broadband Tier 3 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps• Broadband Tier 2 1.5 Mbps to 3 Mbps• Basic Broadband Tier 1 768 kbps to 1.5 Mbps• 1st Generation Data 200 kbps to 768 kbps• Mapping now to be done by census tract vs zip code• FCC definition looks similar to the concept taken in

WV (formal rule not availabe)

Where are we today?• Verizon has contracted with Connected Nation to

map existing BB coverage in WV– Maps are to include

• Cable• DSL• Wireless• Satellite not include

• Mapping used the latest data available for 911 showing existing structures and roadways

• Web site developed– www.connectwestvirginia.org

Sample Map

How to we grow the demand• Major goal is to stimulate demand with the

development of applications that require BB• Develop new and innovative ways in public safety for

radio over IP, video, security and warning and notification

• Develop partnerships with local entities and leaders• Enhance rural Healthcare• Develop new and innovative educational opportunities• Distance Learning

• Develop E-government initiatives• Advanced Telecommuting

Challenges• One of the lowest states in terms or BB

availability (81%) • One of the lowest states in BB adoption rates

(~40%)• Population density challenges • Funding challenges• Geographic/Technology challenges• Losing talent and population• One size doesn’t fit all• The gravy is done….. The difficult areas are yet to

come

Success• Strike Force formed on Dec 14, 2007• Four Tiger Teams Formed with the assistance of CISCO

– Infrastructure– Mapping– Healthcare– Education

Results for Phase One completed Feb 14, 2008

Mapping of broadband across WV is done Formal recommendation sent to the Governor for Infrastructure and

Mapping on Feb 14, 2008 BB definition developed, progressive for state funded Formation of a Broadband Development Council (BDC) Legislation introduced on Feb 18, 2008 Legislation signed into law by the Governor on March 31, 2008 Collaborative effort of all involved