Bernadine Joselyn Director Public Policy and Engagement

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Bernadine JoselynDirector Public Policy and
Engagement

• Why Broadband?
• A Role for Higher Education

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Blandin Foundation Approach
Leadership Development
Grantmaking
Public Policy
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What is Broadband?

• Broadband is high speed telecommunication and
  includes voice, video and data
• It is delivered over
• Telephone lines (DSL)
• Coaxial Cable
• Wireless
• Fiber optic cable
• Coming soon over electrical lines

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Why Broadband?

• It is an essential ingredient in the transition
  from a natural resources economy to a knowledge
  economy
• We have lost our digital edge
• There are many digital divides

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Who Needs Broadband?

• Businesses (large and small)
• Schools
• Health Care Organizations
• Governmental Agencies
• Consumers
• Communities
• Everyone can be more productive and efficient by
  using broadband based technologies and services.

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Blandin Broadband Initiative

• Started in January, 2003
• Guided by a 16 person Strategy Board
• ISP CEOs representing all of the technology
  platforms
• State legislative and administration officials
• business leaders
• Local officials

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Broadband Initiative Goals

• Increase awareness about the need to enhance
  broadband telecommunications utilization and
  services
• Increase rural business and residential
  utilization of broadband capacity
• Increase public and private investment in rural
  broadband capacity

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What Weve Done So Far

• Published Community Guide to Broadband
  Development for local leaders
• Convened a Community Broadband Conference in
  January 2004 to showcase success stories
• Created the Get Broadband program in 2004
• Created state broadband vision in 2005

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Minnesota Broadband Vision
To ensure a high quality of life and a globally
competitive future for its citizens, businesses
and communities, Minnesota is committed to making
the necessary investment, through public private
partnerships, to become a world leader in the
universal deployment and use of ultrahigh-speed
next generation broadband. Objective By 2010
affordable gigabit broadband will be available
to all Minnesotans.
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Get Broadband Program Keeping Communities
Competitive

• Concept
• A community based program to increase the use of
  broadband based technologies to make communities,
  residents and institutions more productive,
  efficient and competitive.

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Get Broadband Approach

• Secrets to Success
• Multi-sectored approach Business, Health Care,
  Education, Government and general public sectors
• Led by senior community leaders, not tekkies
• Set goals and measure your progress
• Build support learning networking across
  communities
• Help leaders connect to existing resources

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Blandin Provides

• Up to 15,000 per community on a matching basis
• Technical assistance/coaching
• Program guide
• Get Broadband Toolkit
• Cohort convening
• Program newsletter website

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Communities Provide

• Cash match
• Steering Committee
• Goals (overall community goals and individual
  sector goals)
• Educational program design implementation

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Other Program Sponsors

• Strategy Board Member Organizations
• State of Minnesota - 250,000
• MNSCU Local customized training services
• Local Sponsors
• City, County, EDAs
• ISPs

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Get Broadband Activities

• Technology Fairs
• Demonstrations at Senior Centers
• Community Education classes
• Media outreach (op-ed articles, etc.)
• One on one counseling with businesses
• Community broadband kiosks
• Video conferencing w/local soldiers serving
  abroad
• Business Roundtables

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Measurement

• Pre-project business and residential telephone
  surveys
• Post project surveys
• Conducted by MNSCU students under the supervision
  of Center for Rural Policy Development

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Opportunities for Higher Education Involvement in
Get Broadband

• Selling the Program to Community Leaders
• Serving on Steering Committee
• Staffing/coordinating local projects
• Local sponsorship/funding
• Measurement/surveys
• Internal assessment

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Get Gigabits!Live at the Speed of Light!

• The use and deployment of Gigabit Broadband is
  essential for communities (particularly rural) to
  survive!
• For more information, see www.blandinfoundation.o
  rg
• Thank You!

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