Broadband Internet: Why It’s Essential for New Hampshire

Dr. Charlie French, Program LeaderCommunity & Economic Development

UNH Cooperative Extension

This presentation is funded under grant #33-50-M09048 from the US Dept of Commerce

to the University of New Hampshire.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines Broadband as, “high-speed Internet that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access”

What is Broadband?

What Can you do with Broadband?

What does Speed Have to Do with Broadband?

Download Speed

Upload Speed

Typical Uses (additive to level above)

< 768 Kbps < 200 Kbps • Email

768 Kbps to

< 3 Mbps

200 Kbps to

< 1.5 Mbps

• Web browsing and shopping• Sending/receiving photos, word processing, and PDFs• Limited streaming content; buffering can be slow• Voice over IP

3 Mbps + 1.5 Mbps +

• Sending/receiving large files (databases, videos, etc.)• Streaming HD content• HD quality videoconferencing• VPN access• Real-time HD medical imaging and consultation

Broadband is integral to the New Hampshire’s capacity to improve its economic future and quality of life!

Three Reasons Why You Should Care

Better jobs

Enhanced education

Accessible health care

• 11,000 new jobs

• $634 million impact

• 3X the revenue for businesses

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics cited in The National Broadband PlanCrandall, R., Singer, H. 2010. The Economic Impact of Broadband Investment. National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

1. Jobs

• Digital technologies career opportunities

Sources:Pew Internet & American Life, 2008NARUC Conference, 2010

2. Education

$927 billion cost-savings for people 65+ (Litan, 2008)

Source:Litan, R. 2006. Potential Economic Benefits to the Nation From Accelerated Broadband Deployment to Older Americans and Americans with Disabilities. New Millennium Research Council.

3. Health

Nice or Necessary?

“… we need a high speed system to help us to track our product from net to market and get NH seafood on the map locally.”

Bob Campbell, Former Manager, Yankee Fishermen’s Co-op

Viewpoint from New Hampshire Residents

How do you get access to the internet at home?”

Cable/DSL/Other Broadband

Satellite Dial-up Don't know0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

73%

26%15%

2%

Granite State Poll conducted by UNH Survey Center, April 9-11, 2012.

Broadband Access by Geography

Granite State Poll conducted by UNH Survey Center, April 9-11, 2012.

Connecticut Valley North Country Lakes Region Seacoast Region South-Central NH0

20

40

60

80

100

No Internet Satellite or Dialup

Broadband

Broadband Access by Geography

Do you consider your current Internet connection at home adequate?

93% yes

Granite State Poll

Educational Institutions

Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs?

53% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs of Educational Institutions

66% would like access to

self-paced, on-line learning

59% want to learn to

effectively use technology

for teaching

Small Businesses

Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs?

64% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs ofSmall Businesses

67% want help using the

web to market their

products

60% need

training/support to use

social media for business

Cities and Towns

Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs?

72% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs ofLocal Governments

55% would like to learn

more about E-governance

51% would like training

on making websites

interactive

So what does this all mean?

1. Broadband is not accessible/affordable to everyone

2. Lack of awareness of the benefits of broadband

3. We need to do a better job training people how to effectively utilize broadband internet