Presentation Transcript

1. Connect South Carolina State Broadband Initiative Lindsay Conrad Community Technology Advisor
2. Who Are We & What Do We Do? Connect SC is a state-based non-profit division of Connected Nation, a national 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to generate and support economic development by: 1) expanding broadband availabilityand 2) increasing broadband adoption In 2009, Connect SC was commissioned by the Office of the Governor to work with all broadband providers to create South Carolina’s first interactive map of coverage. In 2012, Connect SC began Community Engagement efforts to ensure that state, regional, and local leaders were cohesively working together to bridge the digital divide. “Helping Communities Develop Last Mile Solutions”
3. Residential Survey Results Broadband Adoption Rates Increasing 2011: 57% 2012: 66% (2.4 million residents) Adoption Among Rural Residents 65% of rural Internet users with annual HH incomes of less than $25,000 use internet to apply for job. 14% of rural residents access the Internet via mobile device only; significantly higher than the non-rural population.
4. Broadband Availability by Speed Tier Statewide Availability to Terrestrial, Non-Mobile Broadband Platforms Source: 2011 and 2012 Connect South CarolinaBroadband Availability Submission to NTIA
5. Fixed Broadband Service by Non-Rural/Rural Classification Statewide Availability to Terrestrial, Non-Mobile Broadband Platforms Source: Connect South Carolina, October 2012; Office of Management and Budget, 2009
6. Ensuring our Maps’ Accuracy: A Three-Prong Approach STEP 3: Community Engagement STEP 2: Field Validation STEP 1: Gather Provider Data
7. STEP 1: Gather Provider Data 45 out of 46 Participating Providers Data is gathered twice per year Mapping: Going above and beyond: More Granular State Maps: NTIA requires data submission by census block level, butConnect SC’s GIS Team provides more granular data on www.ConnectSC.org as it is offered. Greater Variety of Maps: Household Density Map, Unserved Area Map; Multiple/Single Platform Map, Growth Map Flexibility in Submissions Non-participating Provider Coverage Estimation
8. STEP 2: Field Validation In SC, our Engineering and Technical Services Team has driven thousands of miles in the field last year. Our ETS Team has validated 36 out of the 46 providers (about 80% of providers in the state) to date. By the end of 2014, ETS will have validated 100% of all providers in South Carolina.
9. STEP 3: Community Engagement The Plan: Build a Team of Stakeholders Walk the Community through our online assessment, identifying needs in the area Work to find last mile solutions to meet those needs The Results: 19 engaged communities in the state over a 10 month period 12 communities actively forming teams or filling out assessments 2 communities completed assessments
10. Broadband Inquiry Forms
11. Marion County Expanding Broadband for Residents
12. Greenwood County Expanding Broadband for Business
13. Statewide Broadband Inventory – October 2012
14. Thank You! Lindsay Conrad Community Technology Advisor Connect South Carolina LConrad@ConnectSC.org www.ConnectSC.org