Role of Satellite-Based Internet Connectivity for Rural Community Wireless Networks Alan Escovitz, Ph.D.Director of External AffairsOffice of the CIOThe Ohio State Universityand Bob Dixon, Ph.D.Director of Emerging TechnologiesThe Ohio State University/OSC

Rural Telecommunications ConferenceOctober 17, 2007

Connecting Rural OhioPartners and Sponsors

The Ohio State University Office of the CIOOhio Supercomputer Center

American Distance Education Consortium

PartnersVillage of Vinton

Ohio State University ExtensionOhio Learning Network

Governor’s Office Of AppalachiaGallia County Department of Jobs and Family Services

University of Rio GrandeMindLeaders

Vinton Elementary SchoolGallia and Vinton County Educational Service Center

Microsoft

U.S. vs. Others: Broadband PenetrationSource: Free Press, Consumers Union, Consumers Federation of America

August 2006

• U.S. dropped from 4th to 12th place broadband penetration among the 30 member nations of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) between 2000-05

• 14 other members (30)of the OECD saw higher overall net growth in broadband adoption between 2001-2005

• U.S. has 4th highest level of students who never used a computer among OECD nations –exceeded only by Turkey, Mexico and Slovakia

• Population density is not the most significant determinant in broadband penetration -- most important factors explaining digital divide are income and poverty

OECD broadband penetration (per 100 inhabitants) net increase Q2 2005-Q2 2006, by country

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Denm

ark

Austra

lia

Norway

Nethe

rland

s

Finlan

d

Luxe

mbo

urg

Sweden

United

King

dom

Switzer

land

Icelan

d

Austri

a

Czech

Rep

ublic

Franc

e

Germ

any

Irelan

d

New Z

ealan

d

United S

tate

s

Spain

Italy

Canad

a

Portu

gal

Hunga

ry

Poland

Japa

n

Belgium

Greec

e

Turke

y

Slovak

Rep

ublic

Mex

ico

Korea

OECD net increase

Source :

OECD

Appalachian Ohio

Appalachian Ohio Region

• Appalachian Ohio occupies 14,299 square miles

• 1 in 5 Appalachian children (77,000) live in poverty

• 1/3 of Ohio's 100 lowest performing school districts

• The college-going rate for Appalachian Ohio is 30 percent, compared to 41 percent for the rest of Ohio and 62 percent for the U.S.

• Nearly one-fifth of Ohio's population is poor in Ohio's southern and southeastern Appalachian counties. 

• Approximately 1.4 million reside in Ohio's 29 county Appalachian Region

% Rural Broadband Internet UsePew Internet & Am. Life Project Feb. 2006

Objectives of Connecting Rural Ohio Initiative

• Close the rural divide that previously existed in communities through this “rural datafication” program

• Create community learning centers for online credit and non-credit higher education courses, training and workforce development

• Provide the network infrastructure to support community e-commerce initiatives

• Stabilize local rural economies and reduce drain of human capital

• Improve quality of life and increase standard of living

“Claimed Broadband/DSL Coverage”

Vinton

Satellite Communications Basics

Synchronous Satellites

Internet Connectivity to Anywhere

AMC4 Satellite All Locations

Ground Station

Tachyon Central Ground Station--San Diego, CA

50,000 miles

Internet

Town water tower, satellite dish and wireless antenna

Adjustable Tri-Sector Omni Antenna at Water Tower

2.4 Ghz Radio Access Points

Tachyon 1.2M Satellite Dish Antenna

Village of Vinton Network Overview

Network Overview

• 802.11g (WiFi)

• 3 Sector antennas (3X120º)/3 radios

• Capacity for 180 simultaneous connections

• Allows users to connect to each other

• Network addresses assigned automatically

Wireless Coverage Field Survey

Vinton Wireless Network Coverage

Water tank

Town Hall

Vinton Wireless Repeater Test

Vinton Village Town HallCommunity Learning Center

Yagi directional antenna

Outdoor Home Antenna

Outdoor 400mW 802.11bg Access Point / Bridge / WDS Radio with Integrated 16dBi Panel Antenna

All weather outdoor 2400MHz 802.11b/g bridge

802.11b/g radio, industrial grade construction, multiple antenna options,surge protection on the radio and PoE

Thinning ranks of Ohio college graduates

Ohio population age 25 and older

7.5 M

7.3 M

6.2 M (86.1%)

High school graduates

College graduates

6.6 M (88.1%)

1.7 M (23%)

1.8 M (26%)

20061998

Source: Census Bureau: Educational Attainment in the US 2006 report

Educational Partnership with the University of Rio Grande

• Wireless Community Training Course• Introduction to PCs

and• Technical and Network Support

Educational Partnership with MindLeaders

• Microsoft Office

• Workforce Development

• Business Skills

• Estate and Retirement Planning

Educational Partnership with the Ohio Learning Network

E 4 ME --an online orientation course that helps individuals:

• Link interests to education choices, career paths, and jobs

• Find online courses and degrees that meet personal and career goals

• Learn how to be successful in e-learning courses

2005 Carnegie-Mellon/MIT Study: Measuring

Broadband’s Economic Impact

• Increases in employment growth of 1% annually over communities that have not invested in broadband

• Property values increase, with rental rates were 6% higher.

• 1/2% higher annual growth rate in businesses

• 1/2% higher annual growth rate in IT business sector

Outcomes and Impact

• Model for Land-Grant university outreach

• Cost-effective bridge

• Addresses “last-mile” barriers and connectivity

• Framework for a community technology plan

• Stimulus to private sector investment and community development

• Creates a business case for the private cable/DSL Internet providers