the state of broadband in rural michigan€¢survey of providers of all technology types • asked...

The State of Broadband in Rural Michigan

Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development

March 13, 2012

© Connect Michigan Do Not Copy Without Written Permission


Connect Michigan is a non‐profit organization, in partnership with the Michigan Public Service Commission, tasked with facilitating the expansion of broadband access, adoption,

and use throughout the state.

• Backed by Connected Nation, national technology‐oriented non‐profit• In‐State Staff

– State Program Manager– Two Community Technology Advisors

• Three major programs– Mapping– Research– Community Planning and Outreach

About Connect Michigan

Mapping

Research

Community Planning & Outreach

A Comprehensive Approach to Broadband

Access: Physical connection to high‐speed infrastructure.

Adoption:Recognizing the value in broadband and subscribing either at home, work, and/or

via public institutions (e.g. libraries, schools, government, etc.)

Use:Having the skills necessary to utilize and

exploit broadband and related technologies.



• Density of Households Unserved by a Broadband Provider• Maximum Residential Broadband Download Speed• Density of Broadband Providers

Broadband AccessMaps in Packet

97% 94% 89%

57%49%

95%84%

72%

51%45%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

768Kbps 3Mbps 10Mbps 25Mbps 50Mbps

All Michigan Residents Rural County Average

Residential Accessby the Numbers


• Survey of providers of all technology types• Asked to identify barriers preventing them from further developing

their networks:

Barriers to the Expansion of Broadband Access


Hard Barriers1. Low density of households 2. Cost of middle mile access 2. Tower restrictions or permitting 3. Pole restrictions or permitting 4. Physical geography and terrain 5. Trenching restrictions and permitting

Soft Barriers1. Real or perceived cost of broadband2. Lack of awareness of broadband’sbenefits

2. Digital literacy skills of the public3. Real or perceived cost of computer ownership

4. Concerns related to online security

79%

61%

36%

80%

56%

29%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Computer Ownership Broadband Adoption Mobile Adoption

Statewide Rural Residents

Residential Broadband Adoption


Barriers to Residential Adoption


29%

16%

12%

20%

23%

30%

9%

14%

20%

27%

Other

Broadband is not available

Too complicated/ uncomfortable usingcomputer/ don't know what broadband is

Broadband is too expensive

No content worth viewing

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%All Michigan Residents Rural Residents

e.g. access broadband elsewhere, computer is too expensive, concerned with fraud, don’t go online often enough, available service isn’t fast enough, etc.

Rural residents understand the value of broadband

Cost of broadband as a barrier is not isolated to rural or urban areas

Awareness of broadband and its benefits is a statewide issue

More rural residents would adopt if the infrastructure were available

82%69% 69%

29%

79%72%

61%

21%0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Use a Computer Subscribe toBroadband

Have a Website Allow Teleworking

All Businesses Rural Businesses

Business Broadband Adoption


Barriers to Business Adoption


29%

9%

12%

18%

32%

26%

7%

9%

14%

44%

Other

Too expensive

Broadband is not available

No computer

We don't need broadband/Internet

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%All Michigan Businesses Rural Businesses

e.g. broadband would be a distraction for employees, it would take too long to train employees, it poses a security risk, it is too complicated, don’t know why they don’t use it, etc.

Rural businesses understand the value of broadband

Proportionally, more rural businesses don’t use a computer, as a function of their business or otherwise

More rural businesses would adopt broadband if the infrastructure were available

Cost is a relatively small barrier to adoption for the business community

$300,000

$500,000

$810,000

$0 $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1,000,000

2010

Broadband Connected with Website

Broadband Connected

No Broadband

Broadband vs.Business Revenue


• Statewide and regional partnerships• Outreach and awareness campaign• Provider outreach and coordination• Connected community certification program

– Engage local community teams– Assess the local broadband landscape– Develop goals and action plans– Implement projects to increase broadband access, adoption, and use– Participating Communities (to date)

• Barry County• Charlevoix County• Clare County• Harbor Springs & six neighboring townships

– Teams forming in ten additional communities

Program Actions and Next Steps


Thank You


Eric Frederick, AICP, LEED APState Program Manager

[email protected]‐994‐8024

the state of broadband in rural michigan€¢survey of providers of all technology types • asked...

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