MoBroadbandNow Project

1. Regional Technology Planning Team Report
BOOTHEEL BROADBAND STUDY
July 2011

2. RESIDENTIAL STUDY BACKGROUND
 Survey mailed May 2011
 4000 homes randomly sampled.
 287/7% returned.
 287 returned surveys analyzed
 Provides margin of error of ± 6 percentage points
2

3. RESIDENTIAL STUDY: WHO RESPONDED
County Frequency % of Total County pop as % of
respondents BootHeel Region
Population
Scott 68 24% 27%
Dunklin 66 23% 21%
New Madrid 52 18% 12%
Stoddard 34 12% 19%
Pemiscot 26 9% 12%
Mississippi 23 8% 9%
NOTE: 6% OF RESPONDENTS DID NOT INDICATE THEIR COUNTY OF RESIDENCE
3

4. RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: WHO RESPONDED ?
4

5. RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: AGE OF RESPONDENTS
5

6. RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: INCOME OF RESPONDENTS
County Median Income (Census)
Scott 38,008
Dunklin 28,838
New Madrid 34,332
Stoddard 33,156
Pemiscot 27,127
Mississippi 29,009
BootHeel Region 31,745
MISSOURI 45,149
Median Income of Surveyed HH > Median HH income of the region
(32% did not respond to income question)
6

7. RESIDENTIAL STUDY - DEMOGRAPHICS
Education Level
No Response
Graduate Degree
College Degree
Some College or Associates
High School Graduate
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
7

8. RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: COMPUTER OWNERSHIP
AND INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME
8

9. RESIDENTIAL SURVEY:
WHEN DID HOUSEHOLD FIRST OWN A COMPUTER AND WHEN DID THEY
FIRST HAVE ACCESS TO BB/ HSI AT HOME ?
70%
% HH with Computer % HH with BB or HIS at home
60% 58%
Computer trend line Internet trend line
50%
40%
40%
30%
24%
20% 18%
16%
15%
12%
10%
6%
0%
1%
0%
Less than 1yr 1-3 yrs 4-7 yrs 8-10 yrs More 10 yrs
9

10. RESIDENTIAL STUDY – TYPE OF INTERNET SERVICE
Type of Internet Service
Fixed Wireless 4%
DSL
40%
Cellular Broadband 3%
Satellite 3%
Cable Modem 23%
Dial-Up 3%
10

11. APPLICATIONS (RESIDENTIAL)
Internet Activity in the Last 7 Days
Keep in touch with family and friends 83%
Look for information about a service or product you are thinking of buying 79%
Use an online social networking site like Facebook or LinkedIn 70%
Look for health or medical information 64%
Look online for news or information about politics 63%
Do any online banking 58%
Buy something online 57%
Watch television or other videos 46%
Visit your state, region or local government’s website 44%
Play online video games 41%
Look online for information about a job 33%
Contribute to a website, blog or other online forum 25%
Take a class or do homework 24%
Work from home (telecommuting) 21%
Look for information about a place to live 21%
Share something online that you created yourself 17%
Operate or support a home-based business 13%
Sell something online 11%
11

12. RESIDENTIAL STUDY – IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND
ACCESS
How important is it for ALL RESIDENTS of the State of
Missouri to have access to computers and the
Internet?
Very Important
44%
Important 20%
Somewhat Important 14%
Not at all Important 8%
Don't Know 14%
12

13. BUSINESS STUDY BACKGROUND
 Online survey available from:
 April 2011 to July 2011
 26 local businesses responded
 27% were satellite offices
 5% had satellite locations
 32 questions about broadband or high-speed
Internet services in the Bootheel region
13

14. BUSINESS STUDY – RESPONSES BY COUNTY
By County:
Scott 27%
Dunklin 4%
New Madrid 0%
Stoddard 34%
Pemiscot 31%
Mississippi 4%
14

15. EMPLOYEE BUSINESS SIZE
1–4 58%
5 - 25 31%
26 – 100 11%
101 – 500 0%
501 – 750 0%
751 – or more 0%
15

16. BUSINESS CATEGORIES
National Business Class
Administrative and Support Services 5%
Educational Services 5%
Finance and Insurance 32%
Health Care and Social Assistance 16%
Professional, Scientific and Technical… 11%
Public Administration 5%
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 16%
Retail Trade 5%
Utilities 5%
16

17. DO YOU HAVE INTERNET SERVICE AT YOUR BUSINESS?
 Do you have Internet service at your business?
NO = 8% Yes = 92%
 One business reported that they had no need
for Internet service.
 Another business reported that internet service
wasn’t available and that Satellite Internet is
cost prohibitive. However, they plan on
establishing service when high-speed DSL or
cable is offered at their location.
17

18. CURRENT INTERNET PROVIDER
 Top 5 Mentioned
AT&T 55%
Newwave Communications 10%
The remaining 35% was provided by the following (each
having 5%): Charter Business Communications,
Southeast Missouri State University, Kotter, Verizon
Wireless, Comsowireless, Woodall Wireless and
MOREnet
 Service established 1999-2009, Mode=2004
18

19. TYPES OF INTERNET CONNECTIONS
Type of Internet Connection
(Multiple Responses allowed)
T-1 2
Mobile Wireless (Cellular Aircard) 2
Cable Modem 4
Fixed Wireless 4
DSL 13
Fiber to the Premises 3
Satellite Broadband 1
0 5 10 15
19

20. BROADBAND SERVICE RATINGS
Rating of Broadband Services
Don’t
Very Very Response
Services Satisfied Dissatisfied Know/Not
Satisfied Dissatisfied Count
Applicable
Cost of internet/network
service 9% 63% 14% 0% 14% 22
Speed of the on-line
connection 14% 41% 45% 0% 0% 22
Billing practices of your
provider 14% 50% 18% 0% 18% 22
Reliable access to the
Internet 18% 55% 23% 4% 0% 22
Training and technical
support 18% 37% 4% 18% 23% 22
Customer Service
Representative’s
knowledge when you call 14% 41% 13% 9% 23% 22
for service
Installation technician’s
ability and courteousness 14% 45% 9% 0% 32% 22
20

21. SUPPORTED INTERNET APPLICATIONS
Internet Supported Business Applications
E-mail 96%
Videoconferencing 4%
File sharing 52%
Internet telephone 4%
E-business 39%
Website applications 74%
Business to business functions 57%
On-line education 35%
Banking 57%
Monitoring functions (energy, security,… 13%
Research 52%
On-line appointments 13%
On-line customer support 26%
21

22. WHY IMPORTANT?
 87% of respondents indicated that high-speed
connections to the internet were very important in
order to conduct every day operations in their
business.
 Would it be beneficial to your business if
broadband were enhanced? 100% said ‘YES’
22
faster speed and reliable connections were key reasons

23. COMMERCIAL BROADBAND ENVIRONMENT
Availability of Multiple, Competing Broadband Options
There is not a broadband option
available that is suitable for my 5.3%
business.
Not Competitive at All, only one
36.8%
provider option
Somewhat Competitive, two
47.4%
providers
Competitive, several options 10.5%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0%
72% reported not knowing their speed 23

24. COST OF SERVICE
Cost of Broadband
Less than $50 10.0%
More than $50 and less than $100 40.0%
Between $100 and $200 10.0%
Between $200 and $300 5.0%
More than $300 per month 10.0%
Don’t know how much we pay. 25.0%
24

25. ONLINE BUSINESS SURVEY
 5 Businesses had other comments about broadband service
availability in the region. Some included:
 Central Scott County is in direct need of broadband connectivity.
 People in rural areas need broadband access for education and
personal use! If we are going to be a part of a global community,
people need access to broadband services at home and
elsewhere. This should include services for data, video and voice.
 There are several competitors in this town, but none that has the
ability or stability of staying in business against New Wave
Communications.
 Broadband needs to be made readily available not only to
businesses that have few choices when it comes to high speed
internet, but it also needs to be available for residential
customers as well. Especially those in rural areas, such as we
are.
 We would like it to be more reliable
25

26. INDIVIDUAL SECTOR DATA
Written (W) and Online (OL) Sector Surveys
were received from the following groups:
 Agriculture (24 OL)  Industrial and Manufacturing
 Broadband Provider (1 OL) Sector (2 OL)
 Community and Social Services  Library Sector (3 W/4 OL)
(2 OL)  Local Government (37 OL)
 Economic Development Sector  Public Safety (6 OL)
(9 OL)  Tourism (10 OL)
 Energy Sector (2 OL)  Workforce Development (15 OL)
 Environment Sector (1 OL)
 Healthcare Sector (4 W/8 OL)
 Higher Ed Sector (8 W/11 OL)
 K-12 Education Sector (17 OL)
26

27. AGRICULTURAL
 100% of those that responded indicated that current
Agr-business processes and procedures encourage the
use of broadband. Examples of these include:
 Timely market information and research
 Marketing
 Communications with experts and other businesses
 Ordering and billing
 Weather and river stage information
 39% indicate that more training is needed.
 One idea is to connect high school IT teachers with
agricultural business professionals to tailor instructional
methods
27

28. AGRICULTURAL
 69% indicate that broadband access and
availability does not meet the minimum standards
needed in the Bootheel region. Enhancements
would include:
 More dependable and wider coverage
 Expanding coverage in town to go out to rural areas
 Faster speeds
 Competitive costs
 100% of those that responded indicated that
addressing Broadband issues in the Bootheel
region was important (64% Very important)
28

29. COMMUNITY SERVICES
 100% of those that responded (2) indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of broadband.
Examples of these uses include:
 Contacting funding organizations and government entities
 Ordering and billing
 Client communications
 Verifying eligibility for service provision
 One respondent indicated that minimum broadband
standards are not met.
 Their outreach centers do not have high-speed access
 Both respondents indicated that it is important (1 said “very
important”) to address broadband issues in the region.
These include:
 Lower costs
 Development in unserved areas
29

30. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 86% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of
broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 Secure VPN tunnels to corporate offices
 Assisting customers
 Reporting and grant application
 Financial transactions
 Disaster recovery
 Large file transport
 On-line training
 Security functions
 Connections with other businesses
30

31. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 29% indicate that more training is needed,
including:
 Vocational programs
 Skills training through local commerce initiatives
 Enhancement training to build on basic skills
 86% say minimum broadband standards are not
met for effective business and e-commerce
applications. Needs or problems include:
 Expansion of DSL services
 Many rural areas in Stoddard County do not have
broadband
 Less than optimal access to often only one technology
31

32. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 100% of those that responded indicated that
addressing Broadband issues in the Bootheel
region was important (86% Very important).
Reasons include:
 Needed for business recruitment
 Future economic growth relies heavily on
broadband
 Rural areas get last year’s or a single technology so
they lag behind and are not competitive
32

33. ENERGY
 SEMO Electric indicated that current processes
and procedures encourage the use of
broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 Communications from remote locations to the
customer information system
 Broadband access does not meet minimum
standards for effective energy-related
applications. Needs and problems include:
 Most of the service territory does not have
broadband access
33

34. ENERGY
 SEMO Electric indicated that addressing
Broadband issues in the Bootheel region was
only somewhat important. Reasons included:
 Customers don’t have real-time access to usage,
billing and other company information, but the
respondent was not sure how important that
information was to their customers
34

35. TOURISM
 100% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of
broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 Weather information
 Operate websites
 Access other tourism-related businesses
 90% of all vacations are planned on the internet
 2/3rds indicated that their Broadband access and
availability does not meet minimum standards for
effective use by both destination locations and tourists.
Needs and problems include:
 Broadband access is only available in limited locations
 More infrastructure to cover rural areas is needed
35

36. TOURISM
 50% indicate that Broadband technology is
cost prohibitive. Needs include:
 Greateravailability
 Competition
 All agree that it is important (83% very
important) that broadband issues be
addressed in the region.
 Competitive, reliable broadband is needed
 Cost is a consideration
36

37. HEALTHCARE
 92% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of broadband.
Examples of these uses include:
 Medical records transfer
 Health alerts
 Communicating with government agencies
 VPN connections to remote clinics
 Video conferencing
 Remote access to hosted systems
 50% indicated that healthcare providers are not properly
trained to use broadband technology effectively. Reasons
include:
 More training is needed to expand computer literacy and
overcome fear
 Not all providers use available technology because of the lack of
coverage and the inability to use such technology in those areas
37

38. HEALTHCARE
 50% indicate that Broadband access and
availability does not meet minimum standards for
effective healthcare applications. Needs and
problems include:
 Certain areas have poor access
 Border areas appear to have “spotty” access at best
 91% indicate that it is very important (83%) or
important that broadband access and availability
issues be addressed in the region.
 Heavy reliance on broadband services now
 Faster more affordable options are needed
38

39. HIGHER EDUCATION
 100% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of
broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 All types of communications – faculty, staff, student, etc.
 Online courses
 Research
 Enrollment, financial aid and student information systems
 94% indicated that Broadband access and availability
meet minimum standards for effective higher education
applications.
 Satellite campuses, though, are severely restrained in their
offerings due to the high cost of adding bandwidth at those
campuses
39

40. HIGHER EDUCATION
 38% indicated that broadband technology is cost
prohibitive (62% don’t know).
 Cost is a big factor
 It is difficult to keep up with our needs
 Subsidies for higher education should be considered
 94% indicate that it is either very important (69%)
or important that broadband issues be addressed
in the Bootheel region.
 One of higher education’s most important tools
 Cost is limiting our ability to offer instructional
television throughout the region
 Broadband will only be more problematic in the future
40

41. K-12 EDUCATIONAL
 100% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of
broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 Student data system access
 On-line testing and assessments
 Video streaming and on-Demand
 Research
 Instruction
 92% indicated that their Broadband access and
availability does meet minimum standards.
 MOREnet provides stable service
 There are limitations on available bandwidth and high cost
to expand
 Affordable solutions are needed in outlying area
41

42. K-12 EDUCATIONAL
 83% believe that it is very important (73%) or
important to address broadband availability
and adoption issues in the region (17%
indicated somewhat important).
 Broadband is critical to effective instruction
 Many students and families have no internet
access or no broadband
 Information is all online. Students and teachers
need to be as well
42

43. LIBRARY
 100% of those that responded to the question indicated
that current processes and procedures encourage the
use of broadband. Examples of these uses include:
 Access to catalog and research databases
 Automation programs
 Public internet access
 100% of those that responded to the question indicated
that library broadband access and availability does meet
minimum standards for staff and patron applications.
 Minimum is the key word though. Problems with slow downs
and limitations on the ability to use continue to occur
43

44. LIBRARY
 100% of those that responded to the question
indicated that it is very important (50%) or
important that broadband issues be addressed
in the region.
 Can’t afford to ignore the future
 Happy with MOREnet, but need to maintain access
at a reasonable cost
44

45. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
 89% of those that responded indicated that current processes and
procedures encourage the use of broadband. Examples of these
uses include:
 Filing and receiving reports
 Communications to other officials
 Financial transactions
 Ordering and price comparison
 Provision of online government services
 Research
 Everything, on a day-to-day basis
 Need more options to be able to encourage the use of broadband
 89% indicated that their Broadband access and availability does
meet minimum standards for effective online government services.
 Sufficient bandwidth is available at many government offices
 Financial resources are needed to put in place more software-based
citizen services
 Takes a long time to download so the system times out
45

46. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
 20% indicated that personnel are not properly trained to
use broadband. Examples include:
 Need education on the uses and options that it provides
 Older part of workforce needs to be educated to overcome
fear of technology
 72% indicate that addressing broadband services and
adoption issues is “very important” or “important”(52%
very important). Also 12% indicate somewhat important;
4% not at all important and 12% don’t know. Reasons
include:
 Without broadband, we’ll be left behind
 Has a direct affect on economic development
 Needed to get access to required databases
 Ok now, but improvements are always valuable
46

47. PUBLIC SAFETY
 100% of those that responded indicated that current
processes and procedures encourage the use of broadband.
Examples of these uses include:
 Contacts with emergency services volunteers
 Communication with SEMA
 Tracking weather
 Emergency alert and 911-related information
 Transmitting medical information while in transit
 Reporting
 Mass messaging to citizens
 100% of those that responded indicated that Broadband
access and availability meet minimum standards but added
qualifiers, including.
 Speed improvements are needed
 While land based access is adequate, mobile access is lacking
47

48. PUBLIC SAFETY
 80% indicated that it was very important (60%)
or important for broadband issues to be
addressed in the region (20% said Don’t know).
 Bandwidth must keep pace to handle the needs of
more and more people
 Broadband needs to be available to everyone
48

49. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 80% indicated that current training processes and
procedures encourage the use of broadband. These include:
 Internet and broadband is used at career centers by both clients
and specialists
 Employment related information is all on line now
 Watching training videos
 Multiple program-related services
 73% indicate that workers are not trained to use broadband
technology effectively.
 Make computer literacy/internet/broadband training mandatory
 Most workers in the Bootheel region need this type of training
 Provide greater access in rural areas to broadband and people
will learn to use it
49

50. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
 2/3rds of those that responded indicated that
broadband in the region does not meet minimum
standards for effective e-commerce, training and
business applications.
 Dial-up is too slow, satellite is too expensive
 Affordable access is needed throughout the region
 94% indicate that it is very important (64%) or important
for broadband issues to be addressed in the region (9%
indicated Don’t Know). These include:
 Workers may possess the necessary skills for the job, but
not the computer skills to apply for the job online
 Higher skill level in the workforce will attract businesses
 Rural areas need to keep pace
50

51. MORE INDIVIDUAL SECTOR DATA NEEDED
 Environmental Sector
 Environmentally-related broadband uses related
to highway projects include:
 Communications with environmental agencies to
ensure efficient completion of highway projects that
are consistent with environmental requirements
 Industrial and Manufacturing Sector
51

52. MORE INDIVIDUAL SECTOR DATA NEEDED
 Broadband Provider Sector – AT&T responded:
 Every central office in the Bootheel region is equipped
for high-speed internet and Bootheel mobile
broadband services are expanding
 The company will work with public and private
stakeholders to help improve broadband deployment
and decrease barriers to adoption
 Initiatives should be about reaching the consumers
that have no broadband service
 Mobile broadband needs will continue to expand
 Addressing the issues of broadband adoption and
availability should rank first on a list of priorities for
the Bootheel region
52

53. BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLANNING
 Will identify strategies, and related directions,
initiatives, goals and objectives, that can be
employed by interested parties within the
region.
 It is a large scale, high-level planning exercise
 It provides specific guideposts and pathways
to better help the region build long term
broadband sustainability
 Addresses both availability (supply) and
adoption (demand) within the region.
53

54. BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
 The Strategic Planning process is split into four (4)
phases:
 Phase 1 (Completed Today): Needs Assessment and
Existing Information Review – A detailed understanding
of the current broadband climate and the current and
future broadband-related needs in the region.
 Phase 2 (Beginning Today): How to move from the
current broadband environment to the one needed
within the region.
 Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges (SWOC)
analysis will be performed.
54

55. SWOC ANALYSIS
 The definitions of the four (4) SWOC elements are as
follows:
 Strengths – Broadband-related systems, practices,
processes, and resources that are highly valued by the
region.
 Weaknesses – Areas that need improvement; reasons why
stakeholders are not able to wholeheartedly embrace
broadband; and, areas that tend to compromise the
achievement of high levels of availability and adoption.
 Opportunities – Favorable situations/circumstances not yet
taken advantage of that may positively impact the
development and acceptance of broadband.
 Challenges – Present and future situations/circumstances
that may negatively impact broadband development and
acceptance as perceived by the region.
55

56. SWOC ANALYSIS
 Phase 2: cont’d
 The analysis should cover a wide range of issues
including those centered on:
 residential, business and institutional broadband availability
and adoption,
 whether available bandwidth(s) are sufficient for current as well
as near and long term needs and applications,
 potential upgrade and expansion possibilities,
 reliability of existing networks,
 related matters.
 Providersare asked during Phase 2 to present their
ideas on possibilities for advancing the broadband
environment.
56

57. SWOC ANALYSIS
57

58. SWOC ANALYSIS
 The definitions of the four (4) SWOC elements are as
follows:
 Strengths – Broadband-related systems, practices,
processes, and resources that are highly valued by the
region.
 Weaknesses – Areas that need improvement; reasons why
stakeholders are not able to wholeheartedly embrace
broadband; and, areas that tend to compromise the
achievement of high levels of availability and adoption.
 Opportunities – Favorable situations/circumstances not yet
taken advantage of that may positively impact the
development and acceptance of broadband.
 Challenges – Present and future situations/circumstances
that may negatively impact broadband development and
acceptance as perceived by the region.
58

59. BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLANNING PURPOSE
AND PROCESS
 Phase 3: Findings Review and Initial Strategic
Plan Element Development – The RTPT will
review the initial findings, priorities, potential
strategic directions and actions, timelines and
resources needed related to those potential
directions.
 In this phase, a number of potential strategic
directions and initiatives will be identified,
reviewed, discussed, and then incorporated into the
initial draft of the Strategic Plan.
59

60. BROADBAND STRATEGIC PLANNING PURPOSE
AND PROCESS
 Phase 4: Drafting and Finalization of the Strategic
Plan by the RTPT.
 The Strategic Plan will consist of :
1. Introduction and Regional Overview
2. Purpose Statement
3 Detailed SWOC Findings and Analysis
4. Strategic Direction(s)
 Short, medium and long term goals and objectives to boost broadband
adoption and availability.
 Action Items and Implementation Plan
5. Financial, human and organizational resource considerations
6. Timelines and benchmarks for measuring progress
60

61. Additional Discussion
61

62. Connect with us at
MOBroadbandNow
http://mobroadbandnow.com/
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
62

63. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PARTICIPATION
IN THE BOOTHEEL
BROADBAND
PLANNING PROJECT!
63