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How will broadband affect burgeoning controversies over health care? The answers to this question and more came courtesy of a Broadband Cenus-hosted, hour-long panel discussion. View a video of the discussion.
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President Obama on Innovation and Sustainable Growth. President Barack Obama has new plans to strengthen the economy that will all favor people with hi-tech educations.
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Elevate Miami, a comprehensive Digital Inclusion program launched by the city of Miami, aims to serve youth, low-income families, minorities, seniors and residents facing barriers to digital inclusion.
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The Knight Center of Digital Excellence held its first Stimulus Webcast Session for Knight communities and program directors July 23. Watch it online now.
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By pushing hard on broadband, lawmakers hope to close the "digital divide" that has long separated rural America. In doing so, they hope to give rural consumers access to the same sorts of high-speed services and opportunities - think telemedicine, distance-learning and Web-based commerce - that city dwellers have enjoyed for years.
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Posts Tagged ‘Broadband Expansion’
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Ever since Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski’s Sept. 21 net neutrality webcast at the Brookings Institute, an intense debate on the subject has raged between a number of industry executives, policy makers and other concerned parties.
What everyone seems to agree on, however, is the impression the FCC made by publicly stating its stance. Stephen Collins, head of global regulatory affairs for Skype, one of the loudest voices for net neutrality from within the high-tech industry, said, “This puts the FCC at the forefront of global Internet policy. It was a bold statement that could have ripple effects across the globe.”
It’s difficult to imagine what the exact effect would be across the globe if the U.S. were to implement and enforce a robust net neutrality policy. Other nations have different needs, different broadband infrastructures and considerably diverse government models.
A few nations, such as Norway and Japan, have net neutrality rules in place similar to those proposed by Genachowski. Others have dismissed such policies, including several European nations and emerging nations, because telecommunications companies are either controlled by or closely connected to the government. The government plays an even larger role in nations such as China, Iran and Ethiopia, where content and connection speeds are so heavily censored and restricted that there may as well be no Internet service at all.
However, a large number don’t even have a need to consider policies at all because consumers already enjoy both a greater level of competition and more bandwidth than in the U.S.
Those are important categories to consider – competition and infrastructure. When you strip down many of the arguments made for or against FCC-proposed net neutrality rules, those seem to be two concerns that are most prevalent in the overall debate. Read the Knight Center of Digital Excellence’s four-part series on the FCC’s six net neutrality rules for specific examples on how the relative lack of broadband competition and low levels of available bandwidth in our nation are pitting major industry players against each other.
Looking at nations that considered competition and infrastructure issues from the onset adds an interesting facet to the net neutrality debate: Is it a short-term solution to answer for a lack of long-term planning?
Net neutrality is important, and rules governing it should apply to the Internet no matter where or how it’s accessed to ensure American consumers have fast, open and accessible service. At the same time, we hope they don’t detract attention from big-picture problems – the need for more robust competition in broadband markets and the building of higher speed, best-effort infrastructure.
Tags: bandwidth, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Brookings Institution, China, competition, digital, Ethiopia, Europe, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, high-speed, infrastructure, Internet, Iran, Japan, Julius Genachowski, Net Neutrality, network, Norway, Skype, Stephen Collins
Posted in broadband | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
When the federal government announced its investment in broadband, the broadband community applauded. Financial assistance would be in place to augment commercial investments in rural areas, provide opportunities for expanded municipal wireless networks and supplement middle-mile fiber builds connecting schools and government buildings.
Buried in the $7.2 billion funding allocation was a relatively miniscule allotment of $250 million for “sustainable broadband adoption,” with $150 million to be dispersed in the first round of funding. Yet, this small Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) pool drew 328 applications totaling nearly $2.5 billion in “asks” - 10 times the amount of funding available. Why so much interest?
It’s simple. Broadband availability without adoption, use and innovative product and service development is like one-hand clapping - not much of a sound and very little real connection. The pool of 328 applications to the SBA fund indicates a huge pent-up demand, a desire to create change and the know-how to promote broadband adoption.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognized as much in a recent report, saying the “Internet creates value only if applications are adopted by consumers; greater adoption yields greater value.”
The challenge becomes one of holding out a vision that Americans can embrace - one they can see and understand how their individual lives can benefit from broadband. As the FCC has outlined, broadband provides:
- Individuals a platform for education and training, wherever one lives, whatever one’s circumstances;
- Businesses a platform for innovation, greater cost efficiency and access to world markets; and
- Governments a platform that improves efficiency and responsiveness,
One stimulus application designed to connect broadband networks with quality of life in communities is the Connect Your Community (CYC) proposal from the Knight Center of Digital Excellence. The plan is to engage, train, equip and support communities across the county to develop and test training tools, in-depth tracking and analysis. But CYC is just one of the many proposals vying for the tiny pool of SBA funds.
Given the great demand and very limited funding for broadband adoption initiatives, we risk developing broadband networks that may result in under-usage. This is due to many Americans not understanding the benefits of new high-speed, high-capacity communications and how to participate in them fully. Part of the federal government’s job in considering applications is to weigh priorities. We hope this basic first step - of getting Americans up to speed with the what the ramifications of these new high-speed Internet highways can be - will get the attention it deserves.
America applauds the building of broadband networks, because we see the vision of a better life as a result. Our national investment in broadband will take on new relevance and excitement in communities across our nation.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, broadband, broadband availability, Broadband Expansion, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, community, Connect Your Community, CYC, digital, economy, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, high-speed, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Middle Mile, network, stimulus, stimulus watch, sustainable broadband adoption
Posted in Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Stimulus Package, broadband | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
The third in a four-part series on the Federal Communication Commission’s six net neutrality principles:
During a recent webcast from the Brookings Institute, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski explained six principles of net neutrality and proposed making them official rules. Let’s take a closer look at proposed rules three and four, which focus on devices and competition.
No. 3: As long as they don’t damage the network, consumers can connect any legal devices of their choosing.
If you follow the wide-ranging discussion on devices, you’ll find there’s a lot of overlap. The third principle would seem to relate only to third-party devices like Sling Media’s Slingbox (a TV and video streaming device that is blocked on some 3G networks), but many industry executives involved in the net neutrality debate are also chiming in on what devices are used to connect directly to broadband networks.
We’ve seen the obvious example at work – a cell phone. But when considering the phrase “any legal device of their choosing,” the FCC’s third principle includes any non-phone device that contain Wi-Fi modules, such as Apple’s iPod Touch, Microsoft’s ZuneHD and Blu-Ray players that offer integrated Netflix streaming. Internet radio devices, web-connected home security systems and cameras with integrated wireless connectivity should be considered as well.
With all these devices in play, the net neutrality issue quickly becomes handset exclusivity – a practice where wireless carriers make exclusive deals with device manufacturers. Two examples at work currently include Google’s partnership with Verizon Wireless and Apple’s partnership with AT&T.
Both the FCC and Congress have spent some time looking into wireless handset exclusivity arrangements, especially as it plays into the FCC’s fourth net neutrality principle:
No. 4: Consumers have a right to competition.
The FCC’s fourth principle would ensure customers have the right to competition across the Internet spectrum, not simply in terms of choosing a service provider.
Net neutrality advocates claim there is a necessity to regulate the infrastructure and prohibit private enterprise from implementing methods to alter or promote one entity over another.
A worst-case scenario would be if a service provider would favor information from Microsoft over Google by purposely slowing Goggle’s content delivery to create a competitive disadvantage. Another would be a wireless carrier making enough exclusive deals with equipment manufacturers to effective eliminate smaller competitors and force consumers to choose between device or service.
An Internet stranglehold by a handful of organizations could also limit across-the-board innovation. Consider AT&T’s public statement that real-time gaming is an “aspirational service” and not a core broadband application. It’s an interesting statement, considering a Harvard Business School study on the video game industry demonstrated that innovative devices, ubiquitous broadband access, improved games and increased reach led to U.S. sales of software, hardware and accessories reaching $18.9 billion in 2007, an almost 40 percent growth over 2006. The Nintendo DS, a handheld broadband gaming device, was the top-selling gaming device in 2007 with 8.5 million units sold.
Could this statement be pushback from an infrastructure that can’t support gaming and is trying to undermine not only a competitor, but also an entire platform of innovation that millions of Americans take advantage of on a daily basis?
The rise of various, multi-tasking devices that can provide broadband access and other services has various industry leaders looking for ways to best position themselves as the market begins to take a more concrete shape. The FCC’s net neutrality principles as they relate to devices and competition (and how it eventually chooses to enforce them) will play a major role in that process.
Further reading:
• Part one
• Part two
• Part four
Tags: 3G, Apple, AT&T, Blu-Ray, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Brookings Institution, competition, Congress, digital, economy, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Google, Harvard Business School, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, Internet radio, iPod, Julius Genachowski, Microsoft, Net Neutrality, Netflix, network, Nintendo DS, security system, Sling Media, Slingbox, Verizon, video games, Wi-Fi, ZuneHD
Posted in Digital news, broadband, national broadband plan | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
During the COMPTEL PLUS Convention and Expo this week, Angela Simpson, advisor to the assistant secretary for National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), shared that the NTIA is “on track” to announce the first round of funding in November.
Simpson also shared that 18 applications have moved to the second step of the vetting process and those proposals would concentrate on critical last-mile, remote projects. However, the decisions about who gets funding will ultimately be made by NTIA Administrator Larry Strickling.
Yet, even though NTIA appears almost done with the first round of awards, there’s more work ahead for the agency and the government overall.
NTIA officials must decide whether to hold one or two more sets of broadband stimulus funding. Although Simpson could not confirm how many rounds remain, she said chances are good the NTIA will hold just one more.
If the second and third rounds are merged, it’s likely applicants will have more time to submit proposals, unlike the first round. Simpson did say the process would be streamlined.
“We’re trying to avoid the capacity problems of last time,” she said.
Tags: American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, Angela Simpson, broadband, Broadband Expansion, broadband stimulus funding, COMPTEL PLUS Convention and Expo, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Larry Strickling, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, Digital news, NTIA, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
The second in a four-part series on the Federal Communication Commission’s six net neutrality principles:
During a recent webcast from the Brookings Institute, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski explained six principles of net neutrality and proposed making them official rules. Let’s take a closer look at the first two, which focus on Web content and applications.
No. 1: Consumers are entitled to access whatever legal content they like.
Once considered a “future-proof” application, the Internet has significantly evolved over the past few years, giving users access to content previously found solely on store shelves or through other outlets. In some instances, service providers have restricted access to this kind of content. For example, AT&T censored a Pearl Jam concert in 2007. A month later, Verizon Wireless was taken to task for blocking text messages from the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League. (Both companies have since apologized for the censorship.)
Those are just two examples, however. There have been other public incidents that have drawn the ire of organizations such as the Open Internet Coalition, which represents consumers, grassroots organizations and businesses working to keep the Internet fast, open and accessible to all Americans.
So what would happen to the Internet landscape if it weren’t fast, open and accessible? If Internet service providers were allowed to choose among content, businesses would have the ability to slow down or even block their competitors’ Web content. A cable company whose leaders disapprove of a particular political or social cause could block sites supporting that cause.
The FCC’s first principle of net neutrality would ensure those scenarios never happen.
No. 2: Consumers can run whatever legal applications – and use whatever legal services – they like, with some exemptions for law enforcement purposes.
This principle is essentially the same as the first, though it relates to applications.
An example of application “censorship” is Apple’s recent rejection of the iPhone application Google Voice, an Internet-based service that would permit users to make low-cost calls without using AT&T, which has an exclusive arrangement for the iPhone in this country. (Apple said it is still considering the application.)
Net neutrality should apply to the Internet no matter where or how it’s accessed. With the increase in the number of devices that have wireless Internet capabilities, the FCC needs to be vigilant from the beginning when deciding on how to ensure American consumers have fast, open and accessible service.
Further reading:
• Part one
• Part three
• Part four
Tags: Apple, AT&T, Broadband Expansion, digital, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Google Voice, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, iPhone, Julius Genachowski, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, Net Neutrality, network, Open Internet Coalition, Pearl Jam, Verizon
Posted in Knight Center of Digital Excellence, broadband | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
The Council on Foundations Fall Conference for Community Foundations in San Antonio brought together hundreds of high-profile Community Foundation representatives for a three-day event (Oct. 5-7) to discuss creating transformative change in our nation’s largest cities to its most rural communities. The Council on Foundations is a national nonprofit association of approximately 2,000 grant-making foundations and corporations that strive to increase the effectiveness, stewardship and accountability of its sector while providing members with services and support necessary for success.
Several Knight Center of Digital Excellence connected community success stories were showcased during the conference. Knight Center Community Program Consultant James Farstad featured the accomplishments of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and the Miami Dade Broadband Coalition in a presentation about the challenges and opportunities associated with meeting the information needs in large communities. Farstad spoke about Mayor Diaz’s vision for a 21st-century community and how the Knight Center’s unique approach has helped Miami-Dade accelerate efforts to achieve key broadband goals.
Other breakout sessions showcased innovative Knight Center activities in Akron, Ohio, and Milledgeville, Ga. Akron Deputy Mayor David Lieberth demonstrated his city’s commitment to exemplify strategies to meet the information needs of mid-sized cities, and Jim Wolfgang, Director of the Digital Innovation Group at Georgia College, focused on Milledgeville during his discussion on how small cities can uniquely meet their needs.
The importance of access to information and the new role of individuals as information contributors was stressed throughout the conference, with discussions focusing on how new media, libraries and broadband access are crucial to ensuring a consistent, two-way flow of information within a community.
“Informing Communities: Sustaining democracy in the Digital Age,” a report by The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy, was introduced, and provided an outstanding perspective on how “information is as vital to the healthy functioning of communities as clean air, safe streets, good schools and public health.”
According to the report, “America needs ‘informed communities,’ places where the information ecology meets people’s personal and civic information needs. This means people have the news and information they need to take advantage of life’s opportunities for themselves and their families. They need information to participate fully in our system of self-government, to stand up and be heard. Driving this vision are the critical democratic values of openness, inclusion, participation, empowerment, and the common pursuit of truth and the public interest.”
Presenters were able to demonstrate how the Knight Center’s efforts in numerous communities across the nation have provided citizens with the new media and broadband technology necessary to maintain open information streams. Attendees were able to see how the Knight Center is demonstrating its ability to accelerate the creation of connected communities by helping them develop strategies and leverage information technologies to drive civic progress and economic development.
Tags: Akron, broadband, Broadband Expansion, community, Council on Foundations, David Lieberth, digital, digital divide, Digital Innovation Group, Fall Conference for Community Foundations, Florida, Georgia, Georgia College, innovation, Internet, James Farstad, Jim Wolfgang, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy, library, Manny Diaz, Miami, Miami Dade Broadband Coalition, Milledgeville, new media, Ohio, rural communities, San Antonio, Texas
Posted in Digital news, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, broadband | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009
During the recent 2009 FTTH Council Conference & Expo, Rural Utility Service (RUS) Deputy Administrator Jessica Zufolo ended rampant speculation by confirming the RUS and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are strongly leaning towards merging the scheduled second and third rounds of broadband stimulus funding. Zufolo said the second round Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) would be issued in December, with funding to be doled out in summer 2010. In addition, the agencies will issue a request for information asking the public to provide some guidance on how to construct the next NOFA.
Saying the RUS is “painfully aware” of the numerous problems that plagued the first-round application process, Zufolo stated, “Everything is on the table for round two, and we want as much feedback as possible on how to expand the applicant pool to include more rural areas that are unserved by broadband.”
With this critical piece of information finally confirmed by an RUS administrator, it’s time to start thinking what the news means for potential second-round applicants.
On one hand, those who didn’t submit proposals in round one, weren’t successful and are contemplating another effort, or were going to wait for the third round to apply are now forced to “go for broke.”
On the other hand, taking more time with a single, second process could facilitate broader, more creative proposals that lead to better, more impactful projects.
The Knight Center of Digital Excellence sees the compressed timeline almost forcing the RUS and NTIA to combine the rounds if they truly want this to be a “stimulus” project. If they kept the third round for next year, as originally scheduled, they might have lost the “stimulating” of the economy effect. (According to an earlier schedule, all BTOP funds should have been awarded Sept. 30, and the round two BTOP Request for Information should be released this fall.)
But if Zufolo’s comments at the expo are any indication, it seems both agencies are committed to taking the necessary time to ensure the application process is run in a more efficient and effective manner. Her statements also show public input will play a role in how everything shapes up.
Tags: 2009 FTTH Council Conference & Expo, American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009, BIP, broadband, Broadband Expansion, Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, BTOP, infrastructure, Internet, Jessica Zufolo, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NOFA, Notice of Funding Availability, NTIA, Rural Utilities Service, RUS, stimulus, stimulus watch
Posted in ARRA, NTIA, RUS, Stimulus Package | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
 We know the numbers – the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) world broadband ranking numbers. The U.S. ranks 20th in the world in terms of adoption (60 percent), according to the latest “Global Broadband Forecast” from Strategy Analytics, a global research and consulting firm.
Needless to say, placing 20th in such a category is not where the U.S. wants to be. Compared with past rankings, it indicates we’re actually falling farther behind instead of catching up to competing nations.
It begs the question: How accurate is that ranking when looked at from a different perspective? According to Thomas Hazlett, a professor of law and economics at George Mason University, it’s not very accurate at all.
Instead of ranking nations based on broadband subscriptions per 100 households, as OECD rankings do, Hazlett looked at broadband availability instead, since availability shifts the attention to household size as a statistical denominator. His research, which included analysis by Federal Communications Commission economist Scott Wallsten, placed the U.S. between eighth and 10th when primarily looking at world broadband availability. However, in addition to household size, Wallsten also compared broadband speed and pricing among nations. When considering all these factors, the U.S. is much more competitive with most other advanced economies than previously thought.
Our nation is competitive despite the fact that many U.S. consumers don’t take advantages of options to obtain ultra-high bandwidth connections because of the added expense. However, thanks to recent technology breakthroughs, cable systems are finding ways to increase bandwidth economically, which may force telecommunications rivals to improve their service speed – and perhaps price – as well. Improvements in those areas could catapult the U.S. into a position as a world broadband leader.
Another number to consider: According to a study sponsored by the Business Software Alliance, the U.S. is ranked No. 1 in the world in the IT industry competitive index. The study considers a nation’s supply of skilled workers, technology infrastructure, intellectual-property protection and a government support of technology that allows market forces to work. Our top ranking is commendable, but we need to commit to infrastructure improvements to stay ahead of other nations that already have more defined broadband strategies in place.
Considering the above information, we look much better now, don’t we? We do, but keep in mind a different look at the numbers also offers this perspective: Just about any nation can look better on paper depending on how the data is manipulated. In short, there’s still plenty of work to do. Just because we change the perspective doesn’t mean we’re completely in the clear. After all, while a case can be made that the U.S. should be ranked much higher when compared with other broadband nations, other studies with solid methodology show we’re right where we should be. But whether you prefer to view the U.S. as ranked eighth, 10th, 15th or 20th, it doesn’t change the fact that our nation still isn’t quite where it wants to be.
Tags: bandwidth, broadband, broadband availability, Broadband Expansion, Business Software Alliance, digital, digital divide, Federal Communications Commission, George Mason University, Global Broadband Forecast, high-speed, infrastructure, Internet, IT, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, OECD, Scott Wallsten, Strategy Analytics, Thomas Hazlett, world broadband rankings
Posted in Digital news, broadband | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
 Community broadband isn’t about following a specific business or technical model – it’s about the people who will eventually use the network and be responsible for making it work. It’s also being open to technology and what it can do to further community-specific goals. In short, it’s about the community.
But to be successful, community initiatives need to engage community stakeholders in creating, managing and deriving value from the proposed network. Successful initiatives also require a focus in the following key areas:
Strong leadership with more than one identified champion
Someone needs to step up and take ownership of the program being developed in his/her community. But what kind of leadership works best? What kind of champions should take the reins? The Knight Center of Digital Excellence is a proponent of local leadership. Our Connected Communities Team works collectively with organizations across the nation applying hundreds of combined years of experience serving their local communities. It’s fundamental that any program is rooted in strong local leadership. After all, who better to structure and drive the success of a plan designed to further community-specific goals?
A vision and cause that community can rally around
What do all projects have in common? They require a significant investment in time and money. While these resources can and should be obtained from numerous sources, it’s the community that will provide the biggest push in ultimately making the network sustainable. To have committed community support, there needs to be a vision that proves to the community why the proposed network has value.
| Barriers and obstacles that can kill community broadband |
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The wrong leadership in place, or a single, dominant leader controlling the discussion
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A lack of trust, cooperation and/or neutrality among stakeholders
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Vendor politics, community politics and different business objectives causing “me first” thinking
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The wrong business model in place and/or a faulty business case
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Adoption efforts lacking or narrow-minded
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Lack of sustainable funding and/or one or more major contributors backing out or decreasing funding
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An emphasis placed on planning rather than doing, resulting in failed execution
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A lack of preparation or research of potential issues and red flags resulting in unexpected slowing of events or completely derailing the project
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Technology plan aligned with community plan
This is a development stage process. The technical needs of the project have to match the community’s needs and the applications proposed.
A broad spectrum of engagement and adoption
Engagement and adoption are key to future network sustainability because they integrate applications into the fabric of the community. While the approach depends on the demographics of the community, outreach programs need to be broad-based and include all groups – that means everyone from government agencies to nonprofit organizations and vendors.
Solid buy-in from all stakeholders
It may not seem like it, but it’s a large leap for interested individuals or entities to become stakeholders. Our Connected Communities Team has had tremendous success in developing working groups in multiple communities regarding community broadband initiatives. Working groups offer interested parties get a chance to contribute and have their voices heard, giving them a sense of ownership from the start of the project. They also allow those participating to select the topic that interests them while fostering relationships with other potential stakeholders. In addition, working groups help drive the conversion from interested party to stakeholder. In essence, they create a win-win scenario for stakeholders to see the network as it benefits the whole rather than how it simply benefits their individual organization. Thinking truly changes from a “me” to “we” perspective.
Financial wherewithal
To ensure success, a strong business model needs to be in place that has a clear-cut financial plan and indicates the key investors and other sustainable resources.
Functional, workable governance
Governance can evolve over time to become sustainable and consistent if those involved at the top level ensure solid communication among organizations. Remember, sustainable governance is community-driven.
Tags: Broadband Adoption and Use, Broadband Expansion, business model, community, community broadband, Community Broadband Initiative, community plan, Connected Communities team, digital, digital divide, engagement, governance, government agencies, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, leadership, network, non-profit organizations, rural communities, stakeholder, technology plan, vendors
Posted in broadband | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
The Knight Center of Digital Excellence is dedicated to helping Knight communities across the nation develop broadband strategies that meet local challenges and help each other compete and thrive in the new economy. The communities range from large cities such as Miami and Detroit to mid-sized cities such as Akron, Ohio, and small, more rural areas such as Milledgeville, Ga.
Our key learning: Each city is unique in terms of their individual needs, but a sustainable network can be established in each one if our proven and innovative approach to digital transformation – our critical success factors – are met:
Inspiring digital visions: During the first stages of engagement awareness is key. We raise awareness of what COULD be, and what the power of information technologies can mean for the broader community and each key stakeholder group. This happens only by making the benefits of broadband tangible, real and achievable to benefit and transform areas including health care, education, government, digital inclusion, workforce development, economic opportunity and democracy.
Enabling local leadership: Once communities are inspired with a digital vision, local leadership needs to be uncovered, developed and supported. The Knight Center builds champions for each initiative, including stakeholders from multiple contingencies.
Developing sustainable community plans: Leaders of community broadband initiatives need to focus on the communities’ top priorities and interests help to help ensure short and long-term support. The Knight Center assists local leaders SEE the desired results and develop a plan, or “roadmap,” to ACHIEVE success.
Resourcing for launch: Every successful community broadband network needs sustainability strategies based on strong and continued value propositions that capitalize on both the needs and desires in a community and a community’s resources. In addition to plans that appropriately line up resources such as business skills, technical talents, financial and other project related assets, successful community broadband projects will have plans in place for continued investment, technology evolution, application expansion, community adoption and community leadership.
A sustainable network can be established in each community if our proven and innovative approach to digital transformation – our critical success factors – are properly met.
But how do you plan to pay for the network once it’s fully functional?
There’s no such thing as a free ticket – that’s the bottom line. Each connected community needs to have a plan, often developed in concert with Knight Center, that can include funding generated from initiative (self-funding), local private and public institutions, and/or national grant funding.
Cost is just one of the many challenges that need to be addressed at the program’s onset. But remember, all players – from the citizen to the highest government official – have the same basic goal in mind – success.
Tags: Akron, broadband, Broadband Expansion, community, Detroit, digital, digital divide, digital vision, Florida, Georgia, infrastructure, innovation, Internet, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, Miami, Michigan, Milledgeville, network, Ohio, rural communities, stakeholder, sustainable broadband adoption
Posted in Knight Center of Digital Excellence, broadband | No Comments »
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