Connect Minnesota Applauds Important Step in Increasing Vital Broadband
ST. PAUL, MN – Connect Minnesota applauds the naming today of 15 members to the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force is charged with developing policies to promote the expansion of broadband access in Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s stated goal is “border-to-border” high-speed Internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.
Connect Minnesota research has repeatedly shown the economic and quality of life benefits of expanded broadband. This announcement comes a week before the 2011 Broadband Conference co-hosted by Connect Minnesota and Blandin Foundation. The conference is taking place in Duluth on November 16 and 17.
“Connect Minnesota looks forward to supporting and informing the work of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband in the months ahead,” said Connect Minnesota Program Manager Bill Hoffman. “The Task Force’s work on access and adoption issues will play a key role, in conjunction with efforts underway in the private and public sectors across the state, to ensure Minnesotans maximize the economic and social benefits of broadband.”
According to Governor Dayton, the Task Force will develop an action plan for identifying and correcting disparities in access and adoption of broadband in all Minnesota communities – urban, rural, and suburban. Dayton says that action plan will help ensure that homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses have access to the technology and information resources they need to thrive in a global economy.
Connect Minnesota research shows that 28 percent of the state’s residents are still not subscribing to broadband for a number of reasons.
Members of the Task Force represent a cross-section of broadband interests, including consumers, business and residential users, educational and healthcare institutions, telephone and cable companies, wireless providers, and government.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce, which houses the state’s Broadband Development Office, will work closely with the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.
“For the short- and long-term success of our economy, every school, business, and consumer in Minnesota must have affordable, high-speed access to information and the online marketplace,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “That is what the work of this Task Force is all about.”
Members of the Task Force are:
• Shirley Walz, Senior director of technology for Thomson Reuters
• Bernadine Joselyn, Director of Public Policy and Engagement for the Blandin Foundation
• Margaret Anderson Kelliher (Chair), Director of the Minnesota High Tech Association
• Steve Lewsader, President of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), Local 7201
• Duane Ring, President of the nine-state Midwest Region of Century Link
• Gary Evans, CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Company
• Dick Sjoberg, Sjoberg’s Cable
• Daniel Richter, President of MVTV Wireless
• Danna MacKenzie, Director of Information Systems for Cook County
• Maureen Ideker, Director of Telehealth, Essential Health
• Matt Grose, Superintendent, Deer River Public Schools
• Steve Peterson, Bloomington City Council
• Bob Bass, Bloomington, AT&T Wireless
• Keith Modglin, Information Systems Director for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
• Bao Vang, President/CEO of the Hmong-American Partnership
Download the Press Release
Monday, November 7, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Connect Minnesota Releases 2011 Residential Broadband Adoption Survey Results
28% of Minnesota residents still do not have broadband at home
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Connect Minnesota released new residential broadband adoption survey results revealing the top trends in technology use among key demographics in Minnesota. The preliminary indicators from the survey are available online, which gives a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities for expanding broadband in targeted sectors. According to the survey, approximately 28% of the population still does not subscribe to broadband. Most notably, the majority of low-income, senior, disabled adult, and Hispanic households are without broadband at home, leaving them facing an uphill battle in keeping up with essential online resources, job and educational opportunities, and social services.
“Connect Minnesota’s mapping data show that Minnesota providers have done a good job in making broadband available across the state; this survey research shows that we still need to increase adoption rates to ensure the economic and societal benefits of broadband are realized across all communities,” said William Hoffman, state program manager for Connect Minnesota.
This survey is conducted in support of Connect Minnesota’s efforts to close Minnesota’s digital gap. The survey explores the main barriers to adoption – cost, digital skills, and relevance – and also provides unique insights into the national broadband landscape.
The survey reveals that:
• 39% of Minnesotans living in rural areas do not subscribe to broadband service at home.
• When comparing to the 72% of all households that do subscribe, there remain large gaps among key demographics:
o 53% of low-income households;
o 51% of Hispanic households; and
o 68% of seniors are without broadband.
• 54% of low-income households with children are without access to this essential tool at home.
• The biggest gap is among low-income seniors. Only 21% of low-income seniors subscribe to broadband and only 32% have a computer at home.
• The largest barrier to non-adopters is relevance - 29% of non-adopters say there isn’t Internet content worth viewing. The second most commonly cited barrier is that it is too expensive.
• The number one reason Minnesotans say they started using broadband is because they needed it for business.
These results and comparisons to many others are available on Connect Minnesota’s new consumer trends widget. This interactive tool gives people the ability to view, share, and download the results. Connect Minnesota will use these survey results to target solutions in communities based on the demographic and economic barriers that the surveys indicate are most relevant to those communities.
This release comes on the heels of the FCC’s newly released plans to launch a comprehensive public-private initiative called Connect to Compete, aimed at extending digital literacy training and providing employment assistance to communities. Connect Minnesota’s parent organization, Connected Nation, is one of the top strategic advisors in the national initiative.
Connect Minnesota’s 2011 residential survey was conducted in the summer of 2011 and includes responses from 3,100 residents. The survey was conducted as part of the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grant program, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and by the American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Connect Minnesota Names Hoffman Program Manager
ST. PAUL, MN – Connect Minnesota announces the hiring of William Hoffman as the nonprofit’s program manager.
In that role, Hoffman will lead Connect Minnesota’s continuing statewide effort to map broadband availability and increase broadband adoption and use, especially among vulnerable populations. Connect Minnesota’s efforts have been underway since 2008 to bring the economic and quality of life benefits of broadband to all Minnesota residents.
“We know that expanding broadband has a significant economic impact on a state’s residents, and we know Bill’s experience, background, and passion for this mission will be a tremendous asset for the Connect Minnesota program,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of national nonprofit Connected Nation, Connect Minnesota’s parent organization.
Hoffman’s hiring comes on the heels of Governor Mark Dayton’s Executive Order last week establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force is charged with facilitating the expansion of broadband access in Minnesota. Dayton’s stated goal is “border-to-border” high-speed Internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.
Prior to joining Connect Minnesota, Hoffman was an independent government and public affairs consultant where he managed legislative and public affairs campaigns for national public policy clients. Hoffman holds a bachelor of arts degree from the Loyola University of New Orleans and a masters of public administration and policy from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.
Prior to joining Connect Minnesota, Hoffman was an independent government and public affairs consultant where he managed legislative and public affairs campaigns for national public policy clients. Hoffman holds a bachelor of arts degree from the Loyola University of New Orleans and a masters of public administration and policy from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.
As Connect Minnesota’s program manager, Hoffman’s duties will include promoting collaboration between Connect Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, and local, state, and federal policymakers. In addition, Hoffman will identify specific opportunities for increased residential adoption and economic development, especially through relationships in the private and nonprofit sectors.
“I’m excited to be working with Connect Minnesota,” Hoffman said. “Broadband is and will be a key component of Minnesota’s growth and I look forward to building upon what we’ve already begun. Our state must be a leader in broadband access and adoption and Connect Minnesota is a key partner, together with the private sector and state and local governments, working to ensure Minnesota succeeds.”
Hoffman can be contacted at whoffman@connectmn.org or (651) 324-2329.
# # #
About Connect Minnesota: As a public-private partnership, Connect Minnesota partners with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. The work of Connect Minnesota is made possible by support from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. For more information about what Connect Minnesota is doing to accelerate technology in Minnesota’s communities, visit www.connectmn.org.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Building broadband infrastructure for jobs in Greater Minnesota
By Sheila Regan, TC Daily Planet
“The world is a lot flatter now than it used to be,” said Steve Larson, a regional adminsitrator for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “If you are a small rural community, there are not only companies in the metro area, there are companies all over the world that can compete for products and services you provide."
A key to that competition is access to high-speed internet connections, which requires new infrastructure and training throughout much of Greater Minnesota. That access can help increase access to jobs throughout the state.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Minnesota Releases New Broadband Availability and Adoption Statistics Report
(ST. PAUL, MN) St Paul, MN – The state of Minnesota made an empowering move today towards increasing high-speed Internet access and adoption across the state. The Minnesota Department of Commerce and its partner, Connect Minnesota, released an in-depth report that takes a state-wide snapshot of Minnesota’s technological landscape. The Minnesota Broadband Availability and Adoption Statistics report, now available on Connect Minnesota’s website (http://www.connectmn.org/research/), is a key element for strategic planning and further development of high-speed Internet access and adoption programs across the state.
“We are focused on ensuring Minnesota has the broadband access we need for our consumers, businesses and institutions to provide opportunity and competiveness in our global economy,” said Mike Rothman, Commissioner of Commerce, the designated agency partner for Connect Minnesota for the federally-funded broadband mapping initiative. “This map is an important first step in the progress for access to broadband Internet.”
This assessment of the broadband market in Minnesota is conducted by Connect Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Broadband Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. This working paper aims to provide a detailed review of the current state of broadband in Minnesota that will spark discussion across multiple broadband stakeholders in the state on key policy and strategies to expand and enhance the broadband experience for all Minnesotans.
“The data contained in this detailed report will serve as an integral resource for spurring broadband development and adoption plans,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connect Minnesota’s nonprofit parent organization, Connected Nation. “This research will assist in facilitating the fulfillment of technological modernization goals that have been set for Minnesota.”
Highlights from the report:
• Minnesota’s broadband marketplace is interesting when comparing the few urban areas of the state with their rural counterparts. Because three-fifths of Minnesotans reside in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, broadband inventory data shows high availability of upper speed tier broadband in the state.
• The outlook, however, for the state’s remaining households indicates fewer choices and slower speeds. Furthermore, while only available to less than 4 percent of Minnesota households, fiber to the home broadband is available in more than 50 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
• An estimated 66,647 Minnesota households (3.41 percent) lack basic broadband service and remain unserved by terrestrial, fixed broadband. It is further estimated that approximately 93.76 percent of Minnesota households have broadband available at download speeds of 3 Mbps or more. This implies that an estimated 118,313 Minnesota households have basic broadband available but lack fixed broadband service of at least 3 Mbps downstream.
• The adoption percentage of households across Minnesota that have broadband service in the home is 72 percent; by comparison, national surveys show that 67 percent of American households subscribe to home broadband service.
• Statewide, 85 percent of all residents own a home computer. This translates into over 588,000 adults without a home computer, with 73 percent of those without a computer saying they do not believe they need one.
According to this report’s findings, Minnesota does appear to be different from the much of the rest of the country in one important way.
• Broadband speeds at higher speed tiers are significantly higher than many other states.
• Minnesota’s availability of broadband at the 50 Mpbs and 100 Mbps speed tiers is significantly greater than many other states. Also interesting is the prevalence of fiber-to-the-home broadband. While fiber is only available to 3.98 percent of households in Minnesota, this FTTH availability is spread across more than 50 of our counties, and not concentrated in just a few areas.
Connect Minnesota is the state’s designated entity for the statewide broadband mapping and planning initiative under the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) State Broadband Data and Development (SBDD) program. Over the course of a five-year award period the project aims to expand broadband access and use across the state through broadband mapping, identifying barriers to broadband adoption, generating statewide awareness, creating local technology planning teams, and establishing computer ownership and Internet access programs.
Connect Minnesota provided the mapping data used in the National Broadband Map which was released by the NTIA last week. Connect Minnesota will continue to gather semi-annual updates on the broadband maps over the next four years. Citizens are encouraged to visit the map and offer feedback to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
Download Press Release
###
“We are focused on ensuring Minnesota has the broadband access we need for our consumers, businesses and institutions to provide opportunity and competiveness in our global economy,” said Mike Rothman, Commissioner of Commerce, the designated agency partner for Connect Minnesota for the federally-funded broadband mapping initiative. “This map is an important first step in the progress for access to broadband Internet.”
This assessment of the broadband market in Minnesota is conducted by Connect Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Broadband Task Force and the Minnesota Department of Commerce. This working paper aims to provide a detailed review of the current state of broadband in Minnesota that will spark discussion across multiple broadband stakeholders in the state on key policy and strategies to expand and enhance the broadband experience for all Minnesotans.
“The data contained in this detailed report will serve as an integral resource for spurring broadband development and adoption plans,” said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connect Minnesota’s nonprofit parent organization, Connected Nation. “This research will assist in facilitating the fulfillment of technological modernization goals that have been set for Minnesota.”
Highlights from the report:
• Minnesota’s broadband marketplace is interesting when comparing the few urban areas of the state with their rural counterparts. Because three-fifths of Minnesotans reside in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, broadband inventory data shows high availability of upper speed tier broadband in the state.
• The outlook, however, for the state’s remaining households indicates fewer choices and slower speeds. Furthermore, while only available to less than 4 percent of Minnesota households, fiber to the home broadband is available in more than 50 of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
• An estimated 66,647 Minnesota households (3.41 percent) lack basic broadband service and remain unserved by terrestrial, fixed broadband. It is further estimated that approximately 93.76 percent of Minnesota households have broadband available at download speeds of 3 Mbps or more. This implies that an estimated 118,313 Minnesota households have basic broadband available but lack fixed broadband service of at least 3 Mbps downstream.
• The adoption percentage of households across Minnesota that have broadband service in the home is 72 percent; by comparison, national surveys show that 67 percent of American households subscribe to home broadband service.
• Statewide, 85 percent of all residents own a home computer. This translates into over 588,000 adults without a home computer, with 73 percent of those without a computer saying they do not believe they need one.
According to this report’s findings, Minnesota does appear to be different from the much of the rest of the country in one important way.
• Broadband speeds at higher speed tiers are significantly higher than many other states.
• Minnesota’s availability of broadband at the 50 Mpbs and 100 Mbps speed tiers is significantly greater than many other states. Also interesting is the prevalence of fiber-to-the-home broadband. While fiber is only available to 3.98 percent of households in Minnesota, this FTTH availability is spread across more than 50 of our counties, and not concentrated in just a few areas.
Connect Minnesota is the state’s designated entity for the statewide broadband mapping and planning initiative under the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) State Broadband Data and Development (SBDD) program. Over the course of a five-year award period the project aims to expand broadband access and use across the state through broadband mapping, identifying barriers to broadband adoption, generating statewide awareness, creating local technology planning teams, and establishing computer ownership and Internet access programs.
Connect Minnesota provided the mapping data used in the National Broadband Map which was released by the NTIA last week. Connect Minnesota will continue to gather semi-annual updates on the broadband maps over the next four years. Citizens are encouraged to visit the map and offer feedback to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
Download Press Release
###
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Connect Minnesota Data Represented in the National Broadband Map
Watch: Brian Mefford Remarks on National Map
Download Press Release
Map is significant milestone in charting America’s broadband deployment
St Paul, MN – Today the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) launched the National Broadband Map, which marks an important milestone in building the nation’s broadband infrastructure. The product of an intensive and joint effort of the NTIA, Federal Communications Commission, state governments, industry, and non-profits like Connect Minnesota, the map will be a key tool for the American public and policymakers.
"Broadband is the vital infrastructure to the information economy, but until now, the American public has not had a comprehensive picture about where that infrastructure is robust and where it needs improving," said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, the parent organization of Connect Minnesota. "Today's launch of the National Broadband Map is a key milestone, as it will lead to smarter investments, and targeted state and local broadband policies and programs. I'm proud of the role that Connected Nation and our partners at the Minnesota Public Service Commission have played in creating such a powerful tool that will benefit consumers and businesses nationwide."
Connect Minnesota, a non-profit, public-private partnership, has played an instrumental role in developing, gathering data, and verifying data for the National Broadband Map. As the broadband mapping agent for Minnesota, Connect Minnesota has contributed the data of more than 123 broadband service providers and 7,323 community anchor institutions to NTIA.
"Having access to broadband can literally make or break a community's economic future and the welfare of its citizens," continued Mefford. For example, Connect Minnesota surveys have shown that:
Semi-annual updates will continue to be made to the Connect Minnesota maps over the next four years. Citizens are encouraged to visit the map and offer feedback to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
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About Connect Minnesota: As a public-private partnership, Connect Minnesota partners with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. The work of Connect Minnesota is made possible by support from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. For more information about what Connect Minnesota is doing to accelerate technology in Minnesota’s communities, visit www.connectmn.org.
About Connected Nation: Connected Nation is the broadband mapping agent in 13 states and territories under the NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development grant program. This work comprises approximately 42 percent of the country’s landmass and encompasses approximately 39.5 million households. Connected Nation is a national nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that expands access to and use of broadband Internet and related technologies. Connected Nation effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and related technologies by developing coalitions for improving technology availability and use. Connected Nation works with consumers, community leaders, states, technology providers and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop and implement technology expansion programs. Connected Nation’s mission is to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. www.connectednation.org.
Download Press Release
Map is significant milestone in charting America’s broadband deployment
St Paul, MN – Today the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) launched the National Broadband Map, which marks an important milestone in building the nation’s broadband infrastructure. The product of an intensive and joint effort of the NTIA, Federal Communications Commission, state governments, industry, and non-profits like Connect Minnesota, the map will be a key tool for the American public and policymakers.
"Broadband is the vital infrastructure to the information economy, but until now, the American public has not had a comprehensive picture about where that infrastructure is robust and where it needs improving," said Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, the parent organization of Connect Minnesota. "Today's launch of the National Broadband Map is a key milestone, as it will lead to smarter investments, and targeted state and local broadband policies and programs. I'm proud of the role that Connected Nation and our partners at the Minnesota Public Service Commission have played in creating such a powerful tool that will benefit consumers and businesses nationwide."
Connect Minnesota, a non-profit, public-private partnership, has played an instrumental role in developing, gathering data, and verifying data for the National Broadband Map. As the broadband mapping agent for Minnesota, Connect Minnesota has contributed the data of more than 123 broadband service providers and 7,323 community anchor institutions to NTIA.
"Having access to broadband can literally make or break a community's economic future and the welfare of its citizens," continued Mefford. For example, Connect Minnesota surveys have shown that:
- Seven out of ten Minnesota Internet users search for health or medical information online, while 31 percent interact with doctors or healthcare professionals online.
- E-government services are utilized by many Minnesota Internet users - 52 percent report that they search online for information about government services or policies. In addition, 48 percent conduct online transactions with government offices (such as e-filing taxes or filling out forms), 37 percent interact with Minnesota state government offices, 28 percent interact with local government offices, and 25 percent interact with elected officials or candidates online.
- Many Minnesota Internet users go online for educational purposes. Statewide, 46 percent conduct research for schoolwork online, 39 percent interact with teachers online, and 22 percent take classes online.
Semi-annual updates will continue to be made to the Connect Minnesota maps over the next four years. Citizens are encouraged to visit the map and offer feedback to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
###
About Connect Minnesota: As a public-private partnership, Connect Minnesota partners with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. The work of Connect Minnesota is made possible by support from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. For more information about what Connect Minnesota is doing to accelerate technology in Minnesota’s communities, visit www.connectmn.org.
About Connected Nation: Connected Nation is the broadband mapping agent in 13 states and territories under the NTIA’s State Broadband Data and Development grant program. This work comprises approximately 42 percent of the country’s landmass and encompasses approximately 39.5 million households. Connected Nation is a national nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that expands access to and use of broadband Internet and related technologies. Connected Nation effectively raises the awareness of the value of broadband and related technologies by developing coalitions for improving technology availability and use. Connected Nation works with consumers, community leaders, states, technology providers and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to develop and implement technology expansion programs. Connected Nation’s mission is to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. www.connectednation.org.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Minnesota Awarded $2.7 Million for Additional Broadband Mapping and Planning Initiatives
Mapping and Planning Efforts Expanded for the Full Five Year Program
St. Paul, MN — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded Connect Minnesota approximately $2.7 million, under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program (SBDD), to further implement broadband initiatives over the original five-year award period.
The additional Recovery Act funding will allow mapping efforts under the SBDD program to continue for three additional years, while the program also focuses on projects that relate to broadband planning activities, such as the identification of barriers to the adoption of broadband service and information technology services.
“This program will meet NTIA’s intent for developing high-quality projects designed to gather granular data on broadband availability, technology, speed, and infrastructure across the state,” according to Brian Mefford, CEO of Connected Nation, Connect Minnesota’s parent organization. “Through this project Connect Minnesota will support the work of the 15 member Minnesota Broadband Advisory Task Force in carrying out its functions, including the production of its annual progress report benchmarking progress toward meeting Minnesota’s 2015 broadband goals of a minimum of 10-20 MB to all residents and businesses.”
Connect Minnesota will continue to engage in broadband data collection activities that will capture complete and up-to-date datasets from the state’s broadband providers and will result in regularly-scheduled updates and further enhancements to the state’s interactive broadband map.
Under the SBDD program, the Connect Minnesota initiative released its first iteration of the broadband map in May 2010, and this funding will allow the state to prioritize and track progress over a longer period of time. This data will populate the comprehensive, interactive, and searchable national broadband map that NTIA is required by the Recovery Act to create and make publicly available by February 17, 2011.
As the designated entity for broadband mapping in the North Star State, Connect Minnesota is a public-private partnership working to unite local governments, businesses, and citizens in the goal of increasing broadband service in the state’s underserved areas.
To access a summary of the grant project please visit http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantee/connected-nation-minnesota.
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