Analytics
Are you curious about 'where' broadband exists in Wisconsin?
Ever wonder 'who' is using broadband and why some have not adopted this advanced technology, even when service is available at their location?
How about 'what' broadband can do to improve quality of life and what Wisconsin citizens are using broadband for?
Looking for information on your 'community', including demographics or consumer surveys?
You've come to the right place. The LinkWISCONSIN program has developed and identified a number of resources that provide access to data, research and insights relating to the advancement of broadband in Wisconsin--all with an eye to three important dimensions and relevant underlying demographic data:
Broadband Availability
Broadband Adoption
Broadband Application
Regional Demographic Data
These resources are important for a number of reasons:
- Policymakers may find this information useful in better understanding theimportance of broadband investments in their districts.
- Researchers may use the information for analyzing the impact of broadband in order to support future broadband policy and investment recommendations.
- Service providers can identify unserved or underserved areas and obtain information to develop a business case for expanding coverage.
- Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) can identify partners for new projects or obtaining new services.
- State and Federal agencies can search and compare data to understand the impact of broadband investments and anticipate future needs.
- State, local and Tribal Governments can monitor broadband investments in their communities and find opportunities for increased access to and adoption of broadband to better serve their citizenry.
- The public can locate public computer centers and training programs in their communities that offer free, public access to broadband and computers, as well as training programs to increase digital literacy.
View a summary of the LinkWISCONSIN tools and research.
Top of Page
Availability
Broadband availability represents the opportunity for customers to purchase broadband service. Most often, availability data reflect where broadband exists (geographically), the speeds available, as well as the technology used to deliver it (fiber, cable, DSL, fixed and mobile wireless, satellite or broadband over powerline). The type of broadband technology is an indication of the Internet speed realized.
Read more about broadband availability...Broadband availability represents the opportunity for customers to purchase broadband service. Most often, availability data reflect where broadband exists (geographically), the speeds available, as well as the technology used to deliver it (fiber, cable, DSL, fixed and mobile wireless, satellite or broadband over powerline). The type of broadband technology is an indication of the Internet speed realized.
Availability data is most often represented in a map. Online, interactive broadband coverage maps exist on both the state and federal levels.
As required by federal data standards, availability measures are collected at the Census Block level. Broadband availability is often discussed in terms of the percent of population that has access to broadband. This is a misnomer. What the data actually reflect is the percent of population (or percent of households) inside a Census Block with at least 'some level' of broadband coverage available 'somewhere' within that particular Census Block.
Maps and other resources showing broadband availability in a Census Block do not mean that broadband is available at every home and business within that specific area.
A series of briefing papers summarizes this and other important data issues. As a result of these issues, cross-state comparisons on availability should be used with care.
Show Less…
The following resources provide a snapshot of broadband availability:
LinkWISCONSIN Interactive Broadband Map
Mapping is an important first step in a state’s broadband planning efforts. First and foremost, developing detailed service maps is a great way to organize and conduct a comprehensive inventory of service across the entire State with a spotlight on where there are unserved or underserved areas.
Read more and access the LinkWISCONSIN interactive map…Mapping is an important first step in a state’s broadband planning efforts. First and foremost, developing detailed service maps is a great way to organize and conduct a comprehensive inventory of service across the entire State with a spotlight on where there are unserved or underserved areas.
This core information helps focus policymakers, community leaders, service providers and others on the central issue at hand: where is the existing digital divide and how can we best close it?
Click here to read more about and access the LinkWISCONSIN Interactive Broadband Map.
Show Less…National Broadband Map
The National Broadband Map is a tool to search, analyze and map broadband availability across the United States and US territories. Data for the national map is provided by each state, territory and the District of Columbia (or their designees) after having been collected from broadband providers or other data sources.
Read more and access the National Broadband Map…The National Broadband Map is a tool to search, analyze and map broadband availability across the United States and US territories. Data for the national map is provided by each state, territory and the District of Columbia (or their designees) after having been collected from broadband providers or other data sources.
Created by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the map is an unprecedented searchable, national database of information on high-speed Internet access.
Data collected by the LinkWISCONSIN team is forwarded bi-annually to NTIA for inclusion in the national map.
Click here to read more about and access the National Broadband Map.
Show Less…Connecting America's Communities Map
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is one of America's largest federally-funded investments in the expansion of the nation's broadband infrastructure. Thanks to BTOP projects, higher speed Internet service will benefit thousands of communities across the country. BTOP projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories are building broadband infrastructure, expanding public computer centers and increasing adoption of broadband services.
Read more and access the Connecting America's Communities Map…The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) is one of America's largest federally-funded investments in the expansion of the nation's broadband infrastructure. Thanks to BTOP projects, higher speed Internet service will benefit thousands of communities across the country. BTOP projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories are building broadband infrastructure, expanding public computer centers and increasing adoption of broadband services.
The Connecting America's Communities Map, created by the NTIA BTOP, provides a visual depiction of BTOP grant recipient activities in each state. The Map focuses on how these projects impact communities, institutions and people.
Click here to access the Connecting America's Communities Map.
Show Less…Cost Model
The purpose of the Wisconsin State Broadband Initiative (SBI) Cost Model is to estimate the cost to deploy and operate a broadband network in currently unserved areas. For the initial Cost Model, unserved areas are defined as those Census Blocks having less than 768 Kbps X 200 Kbps upstream, which is the FCC’s threshold definition of broadband. In that sense the unserved areas included in the model represent the most chronically unserved households and businesses in our state.
The cost to serve these areas is a fundamental input to important policy considerations and, as such, is the singular goal of the initial Cost Model.
Read more about the Wisconsin SBI Cost Model…
The purpose of the Wisconsin State Broadband Initiative (SBI) Cost Model is to estimate the cost to deploy and operate a broadband network in currently unserved areas. For the initial Cost Model, unserved areas are defined as those Census Blocks having less than 768 Kbps X 200 Kbps upstream, which is the FCC’s threshold definition of broadband. In that sense the unserved areas included in the model represent the most chronically unserved households and businesses in our state.
The cost to serve these areas is a fundamental input to important policy considerations and, as such, is the singular goal of the initial Cost Model.
The initial Cost Model determines and evaluates unserved wireline separately from unserved wireless. That is, costs to serve are developed for the wireline gap and the wireless gap separately. In this sense, the SBI Cost Model is actually two models in one. The modeled wireline broadband network is a middle and second mile fiber facility capable of providing 4 Mbps X .768 Mbps. With respect to the wireless gap, the model is estimating the investment necessary to deploy and operate ubiquitous Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile wireless coverage.
Click here or on the image of the Cost Model Basics below to access a quick overview of the Cost Model...what it does and why.
Click here or on the image below to see an overview of the Cost Model results presented in graphs and charts.
Click here or on the image below to see graphs of the Cost Model results at the County level.
Click here or on the image below to see graphs of the Cost Model results at the Region level.
Click here or on the spreadsheet image below if you care to dig deeper into the raw data.
Note: the Excel workbook has six spreadsheets of comprehensive data. Click on each tab at the bottom of the workbook to open spreadsheets.
Show Less…Regional Broadband Availability Data
Competition is a good measure of the health of an area’s broadband ecosystem. The availability tables, displaying broadband availability by region and county, summarize:
- the number of broadband service providers in an area
- company names of area service providers
- reported maximum download speeds
- types of technology utilized
Click here to access the regional/county availability data.
Show Less…Regional Broadband Investment Plans
The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Read more and access the regional planning pages and investment plans...The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Regional teams are presently focused on implementing defined priority broadband investment plans. As Wisconsin moves into the capacity building phase, data, training and technical assistance will continue to be rolled out to support local teams and state leadership to implement the identify broadband investment priorities. The public is encouraged to become a part of the ongoing planning and implementation process. Interested individuals may contact the regional planning team leader in their area.
The third area, capacity building (and an associated effort known as Technical Assistance), is ongoing as the in-state resources are identified and begin to ramp up to continue the program’s work into the future.
Show Less…Datasets and Methodology
For those wishing to dig deeper into the mapping data, NTIA has provided access to all-publicly available broadband data. Datasets, submitted by State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grantees, include US availability data by shapefiles (SHP)--a standard way of representing GIS vector data--and by comma-separated values (CSV) files, whch stores tabular data (numbers and text) in plain-text form. Community Anchor Institution (CAI) datasets are also available.
Read more and access the datasets and LinkWISCONSIN mapping methodology…For those wishing to dig deeper into the mapping data, NTIA has provided access to all-publicly available broadband data. Datasets, submitted by State Broadband Initiative (SBI) grantees, include US availability data by shapefiles (SHP)--a standard way of representing GIS vector data--and by comma-separated values (CSV) files, whch stores tabular data (numbers and text) in plain-text form. Community Anchor Institution (CAI) datasets are also available.
Supporting documents include National Broadband Map (NBM) files, broadband provider lists, SBI-grantee mapping methodologies and a NBM Analyze Table.
Click here to access the methodology for the LinkWISCONSIN maps.
Show Less…Research Papers
The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort.
Read more and access identified research papers...The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort. The LinkWISCONSIN research inventory is updated as new relevant research is released.
Examples of broadband research include:
- IMLS | Building Digital Communities
- Hudson Institute | The Economic Impact of Rural Telecommunications
- FCC | Measuring Broadband America: A Report on Consumer Wireline Broadband Performance
- FCC | Bringing Broadband to Rural America
- USDA | Broadband Internet's Value for Rural America
Show Less…Broadband 201
Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
Read more and access the Broadband 201 module...Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
This module answers questions, such as:
- What is broadband and how is it different than dial-up?
- How does broadband work?
- What are the differences between broadband technologies?
- Why isn’t broadband everywhere?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- How do you get broadband, and what can you do if it’s not available?
- What are some ways broadband can be used?
- How can we support adoption or uptake of broadband?
Show Less…Broadband Policy
Called
A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Modern Broadband Policy Challenges, this material provides a “plain speak” primer on five major broadband policy issues of our time.
Policy issues and topics addressed in this material include:
- Usage Based Pricing for Broadband
- Spectrum
- USF, ICC and Special Access Reform
- Net Neutrality / Open Access
- Pole Attachments and Right-of-Way Issues
Show Less…Federal Funding Manual
The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
Read more and access the Federal Funding Manual and Sample Forms...The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
The Manual includes:
- Best practices for grant/loan applications
- Application resources
- Information on compliance
- A summary of major grant programs
- Additional guidance on preparing and submitting applications
Click here to access the Appendix and Sample Forms.
Show Less…Although understanding availability of broadband is important, analyzing how consumers and businesses with access to broadband actually subscribe to and use the high-speed service is equally significant.
Read more about broadband adoption...
Although understanding availability of broadband is important, analyzing how consumers and businesses with access to broadband actually subscribe to and use the high-speed service is equally significant.
Broadband adoption is influenced by a number of factors, including affordability (and the market’s willingness to pay), the perception of value (e.g., lack of need or interest) and if consumers have a PC or Internet-ready device and the knowledge required to use them.
Measuring adoption is best done by survey. The FCC, however, has maintained information on adoption for quite some time that was derived from information obtained from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) through what is called the 477 Report.
Show Less…The following resources provide a snapshot of broadband adoption:
Broadband Demand Map
The Demand Map is a planning tool for local, regional and state broadband development efforts. Information is available at the state, planning region or county level and is presented graphically on a map.
Information presented on the Demand Maps will become more robust over time as region or state-wide demand surveys are executed with leadership from local teams and the program’s broadband partners.
Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) are places of high demand for broadband at the local community level. Through a locally-led survey process, broadband demand information is collected for the following categories:
- K-12 Education
- Higher Education
- Libraries
- Healthcare
- Public Safety
- Government Organizations
- Non-Government Organizations
Click here to access the LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Demand Map.
Show Less…Broadband Demand Surveys
The LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Demand Survey is a structured process designed to collect, document and map unmet customer demands for broadband services. Data collected is used to pinpoint the location and type of unmet consumer needs for broadband.
The Demand Surveys can be implemented on a community, region or statewide basis within a program-wide strategy or through a series of ad-hoc surveys designed to meet specific stakeholder needs. The address information is used to position a marker on a map for an area that describes the location and type of unmet broadband service needs.
The following demand-related information is collected through the survey:
- Type of current connection employed (i.e., Dial-up, DSL, Cable Modem, Ethernet, Wireless ISP, T-1, T-3, Fiber, Satellite, Do Not Know and Other)
- Download and upload speeds currently experienced
- Cost of the current service
- User’s perspective on whether the current service is sufficient or not…and if not, why
- Desired technology and speed (if known)
- Number of devices the user expects to employ going forward
- Information on the user’s willingness to pay for service
Special expanded surveys are available for the business and healthcare sectors. These expanded surveys also include questions seeking information on how broadband is to be utilized and the current barriers to adoption.
Click here to access the LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Demand Survey.
Show Less…LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Subscription Map
The LinkWISCONSIN Subscription Map is a comparison tool that allows the user to do a side-by-side comparison of a number of subscription-related factors.
Comparisons can be made at the state, planning region or county level. Data is kept current with source material* and is available with multiple time stamps (e.g., June 2010, Dec 2009 or June 2009). As such, comparisons can be made on a single dimension to gain a picture of subscription trends over time.
Read more and access the LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Subscription Map…
The LinkWISCONSIN Subscription Map is a comparison tool that allows the user to do a side-by-side comparison of a number of subscription-related factors.
Comparisons can be made at the state, planning region or county level. Data is kept current with source material* and is available with multiple time stamps (e.g., June 2010, Dec 2009 or June 2009). As such, comparisons can be made on a single dimension to gain a picture of subscription trends over time.
The data sets reflect subscription rates during previous reporting cycles. For example, June 2010 data is based on 2009 Census Tract boundaries. Therefore the associated Census data is from the 2009 American Community Survey. As new subscription data becomes available from the FCC, more current Census data will be used in the subscription map.
Comparisons can also be made between the following dimensions:
- Subscription rate
- Population density
- Population over age 65
- Population with a college degree (BA or higher)
- Median income
Comparisons can be shown visually on a map or by data tables. The underlying data can also be downloaded for additional offline analysis.
* The source for the subscription data is the FCC's Local Telephone Competition and Broadband Development summaries. Location of source data on the FCC's reporting page can be found in the section entitled "Census Tract Information Mapped for Internet Access Services faster than 200 kbps in at least one direction."
Click here to access the LinkWISCONSIN Broadband Subscription Map.
Show Less…Consumer Surveys
LinkWISCONSIN hosted consumer surveys to better understand broadband availability, specific needs, uses and barriers to adoption. The surveys were designed to be statistically accurate for statewide and regional level analysis.
Read more and access the Consumer Survey Results…Consumer surveys have been hosted to better understand broadband availability, specific needs, uses and barriers to adoption. The surveys were designed to be statistically accurate for statewide and regional level analysis.
A key focus of the surveys was to better understand why residents don’t have or don’t use broadband and what we can do to help them in this regard. The surveys were executed using both traditional phone interviews as well as on-line formats.
Results are available in a set of summary charts and include findings, such as:
- What residents use the Internet for
- The level of interest in free Internet courses
- What factors would motivate some non-users to subscribe to broadband
- How much time residents spend on the Internet
- How important citizens feel broadband is to the state
Raw data of the surveys, including cross-tab data, is available upon request.
Click here to read more and access the LinkWISCONSIN Consumer Survey Results.
Show Less…Internet Usage by Location and Type
LinkWISCONSIN has developed a side-by-side, state-level graphic presentation of Internet usage by location and by type of service. Location comparison data is presented for the US average, the state total and the state in terms of urban vs rural markets. Service type comparison data is presented for the US average and the state-specific average, depending on the states selected in the comparison tool.
Read more and access the Internet Usage by Location tool…LinkWISCONSIN has developed a side-by-side, state-level graphic presentation of Internet usage by location and by type of service. Location comparison data is presented for the US average, the state total and the state in terms of urban vs rural markets. Service type comparison data is presented for the US average and the state-specific average, depending on the states selected in the comparison tool.
The dynamic online presentation tool brings together data from several federal sources and enables comparisons of changes between years 2009 and 2010.
Location data comparison options include:
- Percentage of population who use the Internet at any location
- Percentage of population with access to broadband
- Percentage of households with any level of Internet connectivity
- Percentage of households with broadband connectivity
Click here to access the Internet Usage by Location tool.
Comparison options for type of service at a given location include:
- Percentage of population using the Internet at any location
- Percentage of population using the Internet at home
- Percentage of population using broadband at home
- Percentage of population using dial-up at home
- Percentage of population with no access to the Internet
Click here to access the Internet Usage by Type tool.
Show Less…Regional Broadband Investment Plans
The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Read more and access the regional planning pages and investment plans...The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Regional teams are presently focused on implementing defined priority broadband investment plans. As Wisconsin moves into the capacity building phase, data, training and technical assistance will continue to be rolled out to support local teams and state leadership to implement the identify broadband investment priorities. The public is encouraged to become a part of the ongoing planning and implementation process. Interested individuals may contact the regional planning team leader in their area.
The third area, capacity building (and an associated effort known as Technical Assistance), is ongoing as the in-state resources are identified and begin to ramp up to continue the program’s work into the future.
Show Less…Research Papers
The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort.
Read more and access identified research papers...The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort. The LinkWISCONSIN research inventory is updated as new relevant research is released.
Examples of broadband research include:
- IMLS | Building Digital Communities
- Hudson Institute | The Economic Impact of Rural Telecommunications
- FCC | Measuring Broadband America: A Report on Consumer Wireline Broadband Performance
- FCC | Bringing Broadband to Rural America
- USDA | Broadband Internet's Value for Rural America
Show Less…Broadband 201
Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
Read more and access the Broadband 201 module...Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
This module answers questions, such as:
- What is broadband and how is it different than dial-up?
- How does broadband work?
- What are the differences between broadband technologies?
- Why isn’t broadband everywhere?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- How do you get broadband, and what can you do if it’s not available?
- What are some ways broadband can be used?
- How can we support adoption or uptake of broadband?
Show Less…Broadband Policy
Called
A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Modern Broadband Policy Challenges, this material provides a “plain speak” primer on five major broadband policy issues of our time.
Policy issues and topics addressed in this material include:
- Usage Based Pricing for Broadband
- Spectrum
- USF, ICC and Special Access Reform
- Net Neutrality / Open Access
- Pole Attachments and Right-of-Way Issues
Show Less…Federal Funding Manual
The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
Read more and access the Federal Funding Manual and Sample Forms...The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
The Manual includes:
- Best practices for grant/loan applications
- Application resources
- Information on compliance
- A summary of major grant programs
- Additional guidance on preparing and submitting applications
Click here to access the Appendix and Sample Forms.
Show Less…Ultimately, the issue of broadband is not about the type of technology, speed of service or even about the provider, it's about 'what' people do with it--how we are able to use broadband to advance economic development opportunities, further education and workforce development interests, improve the delivery of healthcare, enhance public safety, and a number of other applications that improve our quality of life.
Read more about broadband application...Ultimately, the issue of broadband is not about the type of technology, speed of service or even about the provider, it's about 'what' people do with it--how we are able to use broadband to advance economic development opportunities, further education and workforce development interests, improve the delivery of healthcare, enhance public safety, and a number of other applications that improve our quality of life.
The focus on Community Anchor Institutions (CAI) is a reflection of this important point. CAIs, such as libraries, schools, hospitals / clinics, courthouses and public safety sites, are important anchor tenants to a local broadband ecosystem (i.e., they tend to be the larger customers). At the same time, they are also where much of the application value is realized.
Show Less…The following resources provide a snapshot of broadband application:
National Broadband Plan
In early 2010, the FCC fulfilled its congressional mandate by issuing a report entitled “Connecting America – The National Broadband Plan” ("the Plan").
Referring to broadband as “the great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century,” the Plan is focused on four ways the Government can influence the broadband ecosystem.
Read more and access the National Broadband Plan.
In early 2010, the FCC fulfilled its congressional mandate by issuing a report entitled “Connecting America – The National Broadband Plan” ("the Plan").
Referring to broadband as “the great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century,” the Plan is focused on four ways the Government can influence the broadband ecosystem:
- Design policies to ensure robust competition
- Ensure efficient allocation and management of assets government controls or influences, such as spectrum, poles and rights-of-way
- Reform current universal service mechanisms to support deployment of broadband and voice in high-cost areas
- Reform laws, policies, standards and incentives to maximize the benefits of broadband in sectors government influences significantly, such as public education, health care and government operations
| Politically, technically and from a broad policy perspective, the Plan is an important reference point for broadband related work that is underway across the United States today. Anyone working in this field should include in their work a full review of the National Broadband Plan: its goals, action items recommended, and substantial underlying data. Click here or on image to access the Plan. | |
Show Less…Regional Broadband Investment Plans
The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Read more and access the regional planning pages and investment plans...The LinkWISCONSIN State Broadband Initiative (SBI) includes three main efforts: data collection/mapping, planning and capacity building. The data collection and mapping effort is addressed through online interactive mapping. In terms of planning,
Regional Planning Teams (RPTs) across the state developed broadband investment plans responsive to the unique needs for expanded availability, adoption and/or applications within each region.
Regional teams are presently focused on implementing defined priority broadband investment plans. As Wisconsin moves into the capacity building phase, data, training and technical assistance will continue to be rolled out to support local teams and state leadership to implement the identify broadband investment priorities. The public is encouraged to become a part of the ongoing planning and implementation process. Interested individuals may contact the regional planning team leader in their area.
The third area, capacity building (and an associated effort known as Technical Assistance), is ongoing as the in-state resources are identified and begin to ramp up to continue the program’s work into the future.
Show Less…Visioning Research
During the initial phases of the LinkWISCONSIN program, Visioning Research was conducted that provided the foundation for the program. The research represents a broad perspective on what is considered by those interviewed as both possible and desirable for the future of broadband deployment and adoption as it unfolds over the five-year grant period.
Read more about the Visioning Research and access the report of findings...During the initial phases of the LinkWISCONSIN program, visioning research was conducted that provided the foundation for the program. The research represents a broad perspective on what is considered by those interviewed as both possible and desirable for the future of broadband deployment and adoption as it unfolds over the five-year grant period.
The research findings reflect the diverse perspectives of the interviewees. As such, they are not intended to be statements of consensus. Combined with the outcomes of the mapping process, they form the basis for additional research and ultimately the strategic initiatives adopted by Regional Planning Teams.
Input gained through the Visioning Research laid the groundwork for a series of regional planning efforts designed to increase the availability and adoption of broadband throughout the state. More specifically, the report was used to frame two subsequent data collection efforts:
- consumer survey to determine broadband usage, application and perceptions
- interactive movies and associated survey designed to increase broadband awareness and to identify region-specific priorities for broadband
Click here to read more about the Visioning Research and access the "
Report of Interview Findings" and "
Summary of the Interview Report".
Show Less…Interactive Movies
The LinkWISCONSIN-produced Interactive Movies are designed to increase awareness of the program and to solicit additional, broad-based input on the various elements of the program vision. The videos are informed by the visioning process and designed to help identify and refine region-specific priorities for broadband through an associated survey.
Read more and access the Interactive Movies...The LinkWISCONSIN-produced Interactive Movies are designed to increase awareness of the program and to solicit additional, broad-based input on the various elements of the program vision. The videos are informed by the visioning process and designed to help identify and refine region-specific priorities for broadband through an associated survey.
The tool also includes a brief survey requesting local residents, business owners, government officials and others in each county of the State to indicate what priorities are most important to them.
Click here to view the Interactive Movies and take the brief online survey.
Show Less…Research Papers
The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort.
Read more and access identified research papers...The LinkWISCONSIN program continues to identify, collect and provide easy access to a variety of research material developed across the country. While not an exhaustive inventory of related research, the library maintained by the LinkWISCONSIN program is an excellent place to start any broadband related research effort. The LinkWISCONSIN research inventory is updated as new relevant research is released.
Examples of broadband research include:
- IMLS | Building Digital Communities
- Hudson Institute | The Economic Impact of Rural Telecommunications
- FCC | Measuring Broadband America: A Report on Consumer Wireline Broadband Performance
- FCC | Bringing Broadband to Rural America
- USDA | Broadband Internet's Value for Rural America
Show Less…Broadband 201
Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
Read more and access the Broadband 201 Module...Broadband 201 is a resource module designed to provide more technical information about broadband to support advocates who want to increase broadband availability and use in their communities. LinkWISCONSIN
Regional Planning Teams can use this information in their broadband outreach and awareness-building efforts.
This module answers questions, such as:
- What is broadband and how is it different than dial-up?
- How does broadband work?
- What are the differences between broadband technologies?
- Why isn’t broadband everywhere?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- Who builds, owns and pays for broadband?
- How do you get broadband, and what can you do if it’s not available?
- What are some ways broadband can be used?
- How can we support adoption or uptake of broadband?
Show Less…Broadband Policy
Called
A Citizen’s Guide to Understanding Modern Broadband Policy Challenges, this material provides a “plain speak” primer on five major broadband policy issues of our time.
Policy issues and topics addressed in this material include:
- Usage Based Pricing for Broadband
- Spectrum
- USF, ICC and Special Access Reform
- Net Neutrality / Open Access
- Pole Attachments and Right-of-Way Issues
Show Less…Connecting Businesses
The Connecting Businesses module is designed as a guidebook for community leadership organizations that have a mission of promoting a strong local economy, high quality of life and sustainable communities.
Improved business access and adoption of broadband services is not an end in itself. Broadband is an effective business tool only when combined with entrepreneurial skills, supportive leadership and other business enabling resources.
Read more and access the Connecting Businesses Module...
The Connecting Business module is designed as a guidebook for community leadership organizations that have a mission of promoting a strong local economy, high quality of life and sustainable communities.
Improved business access and adoption of broadband services is not an end in itself. Broadband is an effective business tool only when combined with entrepreneurial skills, supportive leadership and other business enabling resources.
This module is intended to achieve three basic objectives:
- Highlight benefits of broadband for successful business regardless of size or industry
- Provide tools and guidelines to help Wisconsin community leaders implement local-based initiatives targeted to business broadband access and use
- Promote a matching of in-state and broader resources with businesses that need those resources to expand adoption and use of broadband
Click here to access the Connecting Businesses Module.
Show Less…Health Information Technology
The Health Information Technology (HIT) module provides online research tools and information resources to facilitate community-based initiatives that lead to expanded broadband access and adoption among area healthcare providers.
TheRegional Planning Teams are the primary audience for this module as it can help support broadband planning efforts. Healthcare providers and healthcare organizations are a secondary audience.
The HIT module's objectives are to:
- Identify resources and information that support expanded access and adoption of broadband for healthcare.
- Assess current uses of broadband and future needs among health care entities.
- Generate awareness around the opportunities and support adoption of broadband technologies to improve access to healthcare and health outcomes.
- Help local leaders organize and collect data to expand adoption and use of broadband.
Click here to access the Health Information Technology Module.
Show Less…Innovative Practices
The Innovative Practices module highlights some of the innovative practices to improve broadband access and use both in Wisconsin and nationwide.
Users are encouraged to submit additional entries to the current inventory of innovative practices. An online form is provided in the module for submitting proposed content.
Topics currently addressed include:
- Establish partnerships to encourage broadband investment and adoption
- Develop Political Support
- Support Adoption of Broadband Technologies
- Explore public-private partnerships for community-owned networks
- Resources & Funding to Support Broadband Development
Click here to access the Innovative Practices Module.
Show Less…Federal Funding Manual
The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
Read more and access the Federal Funding Manual and Sample Forms...The LinkAMERICA Alliance Federal Funding Manual is a guide to federal programs that may be useful to those seeking federal funds to deploy, use or otherwise benefit from telecommunications networks and technologies. This funding manual borrows from federal funding announcements, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) and agency sources, while also including guidance based on years of experience in both administering federal grant programs and being an applicant.
The Manual includes:
- Best practices for grant/loan applications
- Application resources
- Information on compliance
- A summary of major grant programs
- Additional guidance on preparing and submitting applications
Click here to access the Appendix and Sample Forms.
Show Less…Regional Demographic Data
As in politics, at the end of the day all broadband is local. Understanding the local community at hand is important in terms of who lives there and what is important in their lives. Studies continue to show that different communities have very different needs and aspirations, as well as very different issues.
Read more and access the Regional Demographic Data Tool...As in politics, at the end of the day all broadband is local. Understanding the local community at hand is important in terms of who lives there and what is important in their lives. Studies continue to show that different communities have very different needs and aspirations, as well as very different issues.
When it comes to advancing broadband availability, adoption and application, some of the key demographics include age, household income and education. Beyond the basic demographics, consumer surveys tell us a lot about regional and statewide priorities for broadband.
The Regional Demographic Data Tool provides easy access to data and graphs for a variety of important demographic issues, including:
- Total Population
- Population Change (2000 – 2010)
- Population Density
- Population by Age Group
- Population by Race
- Population with Bachelors Degree
- Housing Units
- Median Income
Through time the demographic data available will change and expand.
Click here to access the Regional Demographic Data Tool.
Show Less…