Connecting CommunitiesMay 24, 10:00 – 11:30 CST

This program was brought to you by the “Building Community Capacity (BCCB) through Broadband” Project.

William Shuffstall, Senior Extension Educator, Penn State University

Monica L. Babine, Senior Associate, Program for Digital Initiatives Division of Governmental Studies & Services, Washington State University Extension & College of Liberal Arts

Andy Lewis, Community and Economic Development Manager for the Building Community Capacity through Broadband (BCCB) initiative.

Agenda

• Introduction to the Connecting

Communities Resources

• What are Connected Communities?

• What is Broadband?

• Why Broadband Matters

• How to Become a Connected

Community

http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/learningcenter/

The National e-Commerce Initiative

What are Connected Communities?

Connected Communities

• Have IT

• Use IT

• Create IT

Access & Infrastructure

Applications & Education Community

Content

Small Group Activity #1:Community Readiness Assessment

Poll

Welcome Back!

Overall, what level was your community at for question #3 (How do leaders in the community react to change?)

A.One (1)

B.Two (2)

C.Three (3)

D.Four (4)

The Community Embraces Change

• Track global economic and social trends

• Discussion about the impact of trends on the community

• Know community values, assets, strengths and weaknesses

• Implement projects to:

• Take advantage of change

• Minimize negative impacts of change

What is Broadband?

Types of Broadband

Wired:

• Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)

• Cable Modem

• Leased Lines (T1)

• Fiber Optic Cable

• Broadband Over Powerline (BPL)

Wireless:

• Satellite

• Fixed Wireless

• Wi-Fi

• WiMAX

• Cell (G3,G4)

Comparison of Download SpeedsA Broadband Comparison of Download Speeds

An email 5 k

Basic web page 25 k

Complex web page

500 k

Five minute song

5 Megs

Movie preview 30 Megs

Two-hour movie

500 Megs

Dialup 1 sec. 10 sec. 90 sec. 15 min. 80 min. 20 hrs.

ISDN <1 sec. 5 sec. 40 sec. 8 min. 40 min. 10 hrs.

Satellite <1 sec. <1 sec. 15 sec. 2 min. 15 min. 4 hrs.

DSL <1 sec. <1 sec. 7 sec. 1 min. 7 min. 2 hrs.

Cable <1 sec.* <1 sec.* 4 sec.* 40 sec.* 4 min.* 70 min.*

Wireless <1 sec. <1 sec. 4 sec. 40 sec. 4 min. 70 min.

For More General Broadband Information

Learning Module on Broadband Technologies:

http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/connecting_communities/module2_3.htm

Powerpoint on Types of Broadband:

http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/ connecting_communities/module3_1.htm

Why Broadband Matters

"Investments in rural broadband networks

create jobs and economic opportunity for

rural America. Broadband is critical

communications infrastructure of the 21st

century, and it is vital to building vibrant

rural communities.”

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack

Broadband Uses

• Education

• eCommerce

• Culture and entertainment

• Telehealth/telemedicine

• eGovernment

• Public safety

• Economic development/opportunity

Broadband – The Community Perspective

• Global economy driven by broadband

• Businesses less likely to locate or grow without broadband

• Ability to attract workforce/Reduce impact of brain drain

Broadband Challenges

• Higher cost in rural vs. urban/suburban areas

• Limited providers in rural areas

• Bandwidth limits applications

• Reliability/Redundancy

• Adoption

• Access & Ability to use digital tools

How to Become a Connected Community

Steps to Becoming a Connected Community

1. Form a team

2. Learn about broadband

3. Assess what you have

4. Design the future

5. Create an action plan

6. Implement and evaluate

7. Tell your story

Small Group Activity #2

Leadership Team Member Identification Worksheet

• Leaders (formal and non-formal)

• Technology experts

Poll

In general, how difficult was it to identify leaders within the various stakeholder groups?

A.Extremely difficult

B.Difficult

C.Not so difficult

D.We just hit the “easy button”

Leadership is Engaged

• Community leaders understand importance of technology access and adoption

• Government policies support technology access and adoption

• Knowledge economy based economic development strategy

• Community and technology leaders support activities that improve the community’s digital capabilities

http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/learningcenter/

Community Benchmarking

Assessment Tools:• Community Internet Access and

Infrastructure Assessment (PDF)

• Community Use of Digital Technology (PDF)

• Community Digital Initiatives Inventory

http://srdc.msstate.edu/ecommerce/curricula/connecting_communities/module1_3.htm

Other Connecting Communities Resources

• PPTs

• Case Studies

• Public Policy Information

• Research

• Resource List

• Learning Modules

Connecting: Homes, Businesses and

Community Institutions

Questions?

Forming a teamLearning about broadbandAssessing what you have

Designing the futureCreating an action plan

Implementation and evaluationTelling your story

Connecting Rural CommunitiesThis program was brought to you by the “Building Community Capacity (BCCB)

through Broadband” Project.

For more information:Andy Lewis, Community and Economic

Development Manager, Office of Broadband Sustainability, University of Wisconsin Extension,

andy.lewis@uwex.edu, 608-890-4254