City of Eden Prairie Technology Task Force

1. City of Eden PrairieTechnology Task Force Report to the City CouncilNovember 13, 2007

2. Task Force Members Scott Otis -ADC Steve Sandness- Agate Partners Matt Thomas - Best Buy Gary Hansen Cheri White - CH Robinson Mike Schnapf -Digital River Dave Sandum � EP Schools Kiran Mysore - GE Fleet Heather Peterson - Hennepin County Library Marc Soldner -Hennepin Technical College Lisa Hodne - Ingenix Ron Woods - IT-Phenom Rich Muller - Micro Business Strategies Jim Dake - Midwave John Eversman - Super Valu Jody Russell - Thunder Communications Design

3. Task Force Charge What do we have for telecommunications infrastructure and services? What we do we need to be globally competitive? How do we get to where we need to be? Convened monthly since May with subcommittees to develop recommendations.

4. Role of Cities in Telecommunications and Technology Bill Coleman Community Technology Advisors

5. Telecommunications Dilemma For the community Essential for economic vitality Community role is unclear Want fast, reliable and affordable For telecom providers Technology is complex and dynamic Business model in flux Want ROI, positive reputation, stability

6. Four Components of Community Technology Network (fiber, copper or wireless) Services (availability, pricing, quality of service, customer service) Subscription (who and how many use broadband?) Sophistication (what broadband applications are used?)

7. Quick Technology Overview Fiber is fastest � all providers are extending fiber directly (FTTP) or closer to customers (FTTN). DSL speed is impacted by distance from the electronics nodes; speeds range from 256k � 7 Mbps Cable modem speed (up to 10 Mbps) is impacted by neighborhood demand Ultimately all of the Internet is a shared resource that slows with traffic New technologies bring higher speeds. In Europe and Asia, residential connections of 50 Mbps are not uncommon.

8. Overview cont. There are many wireless technologies. Generally, the more capacity (speed), the shorter the distance between towers Highly knowledgeable technical experts can disagree on the correct technical approach

9. Speed Matters!!

10. Trends National FTTP by Verizon, ATT and independents FTTN by cable companies and Qwest Municipal FTTP Municipal wi-fi through partnerships International In Asia, providers incented to invest In Europe, municipal FTTP over open access networks

11. Alternative Community Roles Leadership Encouragement and complaints Market development work Market Intervention Lower barriers to providers Provide incentives to existing and prospective providers Infrastructure Placement of conduit for lease Placement of fiber and cable for lease Pole and tower access Service Provider Joint venture with a provider Form a municipal telecommunications utility Serve as network owner/wholesaler to multiple retailers Alternatives for communities range from filing complaints to forming its own telecommunications utility. A community must measure the negative impact of current telecommunications services and the risks of no action versus the risks of aggressive action. A community should treat telecommunications providers as they would other local businesses that the community hopes will invest, grow and thrive. That may entail recruitment, incentives or other methods of encouragement. Providers have many options for investing their limited capital; a community should do everything that they can to move their community�s ROI higher. Alternatives for communities range from filing complaints to forming its own telecommunications utility. A community must measure the negative impact of current telecommunications services and the risks of no action versus the risks of aggressive action. A community should treat telecommunications providers as they would other local businesses that the community hopes will invest, grow and thrive. That may entail recruitment, incentives or other methods of encouragement. Providers have many options for investing their limited capital; a community should do everything that they can to move their community�s ROI higher.

12. Vision and Findings Task Force Chair Kiran Mysore GE Capital Solutions

13. Technology Vision Statement Eden Prairie is forward looking, aspiring to be a 21st century community benefiting from a competitive environment for affordable and reliable wired and wireless telecommunication services that provides all community members with state-of-the-art high-speed connectivity choices. All Eden Prairie citizens and businesses should have the opportunity to be connected to each other and to others around the world, pursuing economic vitality and enriched quality of life.

14. Key Findings - Business The business community benefits from a competive telecommunications environment, especially in the primary business areas has access to several fiber optic networks Home businesses and home workers have fewer choices

15. Key Findings - Residents Residential customers generally have at least one choice for broadband service. Cable modem service almost everywhere. Qwest DSL service is available to 95% of customers, information on the DSL speed is not available. Price and choice are primary concerns. Almost two-thirds of 222 residential survey respondents supported an active City of Eden Prairie role in providing telecommunications services

16. Findings - Digital Inclusion Digital inclusion, or digital divide, issues are present in Eden Prairie. Approximately 500 Eden Prairie students do not have home Internet access.

17. Findings - Wireless Eden Prairie�s low density development pattern, topography and many trees would hinder cost-effective deployment of a citywide wireless network using today�s technology. Emerging technologies may provide a feasible future alternative.

18. Task Force Recommendations Digital Inclusion � Dave Sandum Competitive Environment - Rich Muller Gather Data � Jody Russell Municipal Considerations � Cheri White Next Steps � Kiran Mysore

19. Digital Inclusion Increase collaboration between the city, library, school district, and the private sector on this issue. Identify areas with concentrations of people without affordable broadband access and promote low-cost solutions. Provide computers and Internet access at community meeting places. Increase the number of low-cost or free computers available through the school district

20. Competitive Environment Communitywide deployment of current wi-fi technology is presently not cost-effective due to the lack of utility poles, hills, trees and low-density. Leverage all government regulatory authority to ensure the highest levels of telecommunications. Encourage Comcast to rapidly deploy their next generation broadband. Negotiate a franchise agreement with Qwest to enable video. Promote a regional and/or state approach on telecommunications.

21. Gather Data and Information To measure progress towards the vision, conduct a regular review of the community�s telecommunication infrastructure and services gather statistically valid information

22. Municipal Considerations Develop a municipal system for inventorying, monitoring and mapping telecommunications infrastructure investments. Combine the purchasing power of public and private sector entities to leverage telecommunications investment. Explore existing and emerging municipal wired and wireless applications to determine their potential.

23. Next Steps Formalize a Community Technology Committee.

24. Questions and Discussion