Broadband in Michigan: Status, Developments, & the Future

1. Broadband in Michigan:Status, Developments, & the Future Eric Frederick, AICP, LEED AP Executive Director: Connect Michigan

2. 2 Topics We truly appreciate the support that Connect Michigan has awarded us in this process; we are committed to continue our advancements, with the continued expertise of Connect Michigan – Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce Context and Background Broadband Defined Why Broadband Matters Infrastructure Access Broadband Adoption Michigan Broadband Roadmap Connecting Michigan Communities Grant Program

3. Connect Michigan We value the information Connect Michigan offers to townships around the state, and looks forward to the continuation of Connect Michigan’s mission to facilitate the expansion of broadband access and use throughout the Great Lakes State. – Michigan Townships Association Core competencies include: • Network mapping, validation, and analysis • Residential and business technology research • Local, state, and national policy analysis and capacity building • Community technology planning Connect Michigan, part of Connected Nation, has been addressing broadband and technology since 2009 • Implemented the State Broadband Initiative from 2009 to 2014 • Have partnered and worked with MPSC, MDARD, MEDC, DTMB, MDE, and many others • Collaborate and address broadband issues at all scales with a diverse group of stakeholders • Have worked with 54 of Michigan’s 83 counties to improve the education and capacity for broadband • www.connectmi.org

4. Broadband Defined We have found Connect Michigan to be an independent, reliable source of information and technical assistance in the realm of broadband issues. – Northern Lakes Economic Alliance • More commonly referred to as high-speed internet access, technically, any kind of connection other than dial-up. Connection is always on. • Fixed, terrestrial broadband: Service designed for permanent, stationary use at a home, business, or institution • Mobile broadband: Wireless internet service designed for continuous use on a portable device • Michigan Broadband Roadmap defined broadband service at 25/3 Mbps and unserved as areas without service at 10/1 Mbps

5. Broadband Defined The Connect Michigan initiative has helped not only our local communities get connected, it has helped our local entrepreneurs and businesses succeed right from their own homes or businesses located outside the city limits. – West Central MichiganWorks!

6. Broadband Matters By accelerating technology access, adoption, and use at all levels, Connect Michigan drives innovation, creates jobs, maximizes scarce resources, improves education, and increases personal incomes. – Library of Michigan

7. Michigan’s Broadband Access Connect Michigan continues to provide leaders at all levels with neutral, candid broadband advocacy and information, and convene stakeholders across multiple sectors in launching collaborative models of broadband and technology expansion. – Lansing Economic Area Partnership • Michigan ranks 30th among other states and territories for broadband availability. • An estimated 368,000 of Michigan’s rural households do not have access to broadband. • Nearly 2 million households (48%) have access to only one fixed, terrestrial internet service provider. • Just over $2.5 billion in potential annual economic benefit is left unrealized among disconnected households. • One-third of households without the internet say the cost of service is too expensive.

8. 25/3 Mbps Broadband Growth – 2014-2018 Information Technology is generally a competitive and guarded field. Our committee attendees stated they appreciate and benefit from hearing what their peers are doing in a setting championed by a neutral party – St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission

9. Broadband Service Inventory by Speed - 2018 There remains a strong grassroots constituency for broadband coverage across our southwest Michigan region. Connect Michigan will continue to be our first choice as an expert partner in our progression toward complete regional broadband coverage. – Southwest Regional Planning Commission

10. Federal Subsidies Connect America Fund Phase II Eligible Areas Three programs of the FCC’s Connect American Fund are supplying ISPs in Michigan with funding to expand broadband into unserved areas. It has been through the assistance, leadership, and guidance of Connect Michigan that our community has been able to gain the much needed knowledge to begin to move forward with a clear understanding of our current service levels and the development of a plan. – Barry County Chamber of Commerce

11. Broadband Adoption in Michigan Broadband accessrefers to infrastructure availability, while broadband adoptionrefers to a household’s choice to subscribe to that available infrastructure. The presence of broadband infrastructure does not always lead to the adoption of or subscription to internet service. Households and businesses face many barriers to Internet service beyond infrastructure availability including cost, digital literacy, awareness/relevance of the internet in their lives, and various device-related issues. Approximately 64% of Michigan’s households subscribe to (or adopt) a fixed home internet connection. We have a Technology Action Plan, completed a county-wide broadband survey, and now have maps that resulted from the survey. Without a doubt, we would not have come this far without Connect Michigan – Ogemaw County Economic Development

12. Broadband Adoption in Michigan Connect Michigan is an important organization that makes significant contributions to Michigan and its citizens. It is a vital organization that will help Michigan become a leader in broadband development and a haven for technology companies to bring their businesses and jobs to Michigan. – Spring Arbor University

13. Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks Connect Michigan is one of the few industry organizations that is truly independent and working in the best interests of the consumer. We feel the information we receive from Connect Michigan is neutral and un-biased. – Air Advantage Created by Gov. Snyder in January 2018 Seven appointed members representing business, agriculture, education, and others. Six state agency appointees Convened two subgroups of experts Held five listening tour events across Michigan Create the “Michigan Broadband Roadmap” to provide recommendations and actions for improving broadband access and adoption

14. Michigan Consortium of Advanced Networks We didn’t address broadband because we didn’t know how to start, where to go for help and besides most of our peers (rural counties) had the same issue. This is where Connect Michigan came in. –Osceola County Community Development ACD.net Alfie Logo Gear Alpena Public Schools AT&T Casair CenturyLink Charter ChoiceTel City of Detroit Comcast County Road Association of Michigan Delta County Economic Development Alliance Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District Eastern Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce Fraser Trebilcock Frontier Communications HARBOR Inc. Innovate Marquette SmartZone Laketown Township, Allegan County Library of Michigan Lyndon Township, Washtenaw County Michigan Department of Education Merit Network Michigan Broadband Cooperative Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association Michigan Chamber of Commerce Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Michigan Dept. of Technology, Management, and Budget Michigan Dept. of Transportation Michigan Economic Development Corporation Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Michigan Internet and Telecommunications Alliance Michigan Municipal League Michigan Public Service Commission Michigan Townships Association MichiganWorks! West Central Midwest Energy Michigan Public Service Commission Michigan State Police Michigan State University Department of Media and Information Northeast Michigan Council of Governments Northern Michigan University Northern Initiatives Oakland County Ottawa County Planning Commission Peninsula Fiber Network Quicken Loans Rocket Fiber Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Economic Development Corporation Senate Majority Policy Office St. Clair County Economic Development Telecommunications Association of Michigan Upper Peninsula Marketing Department, Inc. United States Department of Agriculture Verizon West Michigan Center for Arts & Tech.

15. Roadmap Guiding Principles & Actions It is our sincere conviction that the Connect Michigan program has made a significant difference throughout Michigan in expanding access to broadband and also by expanding the knowledge and use of this very important communication system. – City of Clare • Remove barriers to residential, business, and institutional broadband adoption • Encourage connectivity for Community Anchor Institutions • Promote coordination, cooperation, and communication between private and public infrastructure entities at all scales • Utilize existing and emerging funding sources and investments more effectively • Focus on embracing all technologies, visionary planning principles, and innovative approaches to ensure high levels of broadband service Three recommendation areas: • Improve Access to Unserved Areas • Increase Broadband Adoption • Progress Michigan’s Broadband Ecosystem

16. Roadmap Actions: Improve Access to Unserved Areas • Facilitate the creation of successful partnerships for broadband expansion. • Connect communities and institutions. • Improve broadband coverage data collection and validation. • Increase backhaul capacity in rural areas. • Improve the workforce pool for the telecommunications industry. Connect Michigan serves as a single point of contact for all things broadband- and technology-related in the state and serves as a neutral broadband and technology advocate. For our approximately 250 members around the state working to revitalize their communities, this is vital. –Community Economic Development Association of Michigan

17. Roadmap Actions: Increase Broadband Adoption • Promote and build awareness for low-cost broadband subscription programs. • Support residents to become more digitally literate through coordinated training. • Create partnerships to promote innovative uses of technology. Through the Connect Michigan Program we have put together a plan for broadband access, use, and engagement. This is the first time our area has looked at improving broadband access and it’s been a tremendous tool in building improved access for the future. –Delta County Economic Development Alliance

18. Roadmap Actions: Progress Michigan’s Broadband Ecosystem • State investment in broadband and technology to connect the unserved • Create a single point of contact within state government • Provide comprehensive broadband technical assistance, best practices, and guidance to communities • Encourage “dig once” best practices • Improve the pole-attachment process • Streamline access to the right-of-way for all technology types • Leverage the experience of telecommunications providers, and others to shape a better policy and regulatory ecosystem to connect unserved areas. • Create a permanent long-term broadband commission Through Connect Michigan we devised a project plan to assist our county, our businesses and residents to enter into the global arena. –Roscommon County Economic Development Corp.

19. Connecting Michigan Communities Grant • Grant designed to extend broadband into unserved areas • Broadband defined as a connection with a speed at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload • Eligible applicants include those licensed under the MI Telecommunications Act, video franchise act, or any entity currently providing broadband service • Max. request is $5 million • Grant includes a comment/objection period to ensure funds are used in truly unserved areas We didn’t address broadband because we didn’t know how to start, where to go for help and besides most of our peers (rural counties) had the same issue. This is where Connect Michigan came in. –Osceola County Community Development

20. Connecting Michigan Communities Grant • Public comment period on the grant criteria open now • Final criteria must be published by February 26th • 60-day application window followed by a 60-day comment/objection period once initial grant recommendations have been made • Criteria must include applicant’s experience and readiness, the long-term viability of the project and its scalability, a demonstration of community and economic impact of the project, and community/applicant collaboration • Information available at: www.michigan.gov/CMICGrant From the very first communication with Connect Michigan it was very apparent that they wanted to help us with our problem. –Sharon Township, Washtenaw County

21. Connect Michigan Eric Frederick, AICP, LEED AP Executive Director: Connect Michigan www.connectmi.org : efrederick@connectmi.org : 517-994-8024