Blandin Community Broadband Resource Program

Blandin Foundation will soon launch the Blandin Community Broadband Resource Program, a flexible assistance program to help communities overcome barriers to a shared broadband vision. In preparation, the Foundation is asking community members to assist by completing a very short survey (http://tinyurl.com/2qznc4) about the types of information and services they would find most valuable. By taking the survey you can help shape the program.  Please share your input.

Open Access Networks in Minnesota

The most recent issue of Rural Minnesota Journal features an article by Blandin Foundation’s Bernadine Joselyn and Broadband Initiative consultant Gary Fields.  Titled The Potential for Open Access Networks in Minnesota: A New Community-Based Approach (http://tinyurl.com/3y3nnx), the articledescribes the benefits Open Access Networks can offer Minnesota communities committed to meeting their future telecommunication needs.

Legislature Considers Broadband Policy Bill. 

MN State Representative Sandra Masin (DFL -38A) and Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-07) have held informational hearings this fall regarding a redrafting of the broadband policy bills they introduced last session (HF 2107 and SF 1918).  Discussions among broadband advocates and industry representatives have focused on establishing a statewide broadband infrastructure goal, a state broadband advisory committee and mapping state broadband service.  No agreement has been reached yet among the different stakeholders.  An amended bill is expected to be reintroduced this next session.  Last years bills can be seen at http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp 

Cyber Monday Results Are Good

ComScore Inc. reported that consumers spent $733 million online on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving), a 21 percent gain from the same day a year ago. In years past, Cyber Monday has not necessarily been the busiest online shopping day but it has become the official start to the online holiday shopping season. Learn more http://tinyurl.com/ytuezp.

Need to Measure Broadband

In a recent paper (http://tinyurl.com/268qwb), Pew Charitable Trust’s Internet and American Life Project calls on the FCC to define broadband as faster than 200 kbit/s, and to start tracking access by nine digit zip code areas. (http://tinyurl.com/2eygaa) Their findings support Senator Daniel Inouye’s Broadband Data Improvement Act and Representative Edward J. Markey’s House legislation, which passed in the House this week. The House legislation calls for the creation of a national, searchable broadband availability map that will allow consumers to find which service providers are available in their areas; it also authorizes funds for grants to local planning entities to increase broadband deployment and usage on the local level. (http://tinyurl.com/ytcrqm)

Enhancing Lives and Transforming Communities

The Alliance for Public Technology (http://www.apt.org/) recently published a 70-page report of case studies highlighting innovative broadband applications in the US. It includes several Minnesota communities.

Tekne Awards
Minnesota’s Tekne awards recognize technology achievements and innovation in emerging and established Minnesota companies as well as from technology educators and industry leaders. The 2007 award recipients include a wide range of business and individuals from the Twin Cities and rural Minnesota, including Blandin Foundation Trustee and former Bemidji State University President Jim Benson (http://www.tekneawards.org/).

AgBuzz in My Woods

Agriculturally Minnesota is unique because it straddles three biomes. Two new web resources have been created to support Minnesota farmers and help them become better stewards of forests and prairies/farmlands. The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Farm Guide have launched http://www.agbuzz.com, a blog where U of M Extension experts will post timely topics about marketing, crop storage, crop production, current conditions and concerns around the state. Second, U of M Extension, with financial support from Blandin Foundation’s Vital Forests/Vital Communities Initiative, has created MyMinnesotaWoods (http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/), which provides information on all aspects of business and forestry for family forest owners.

Blandin on Broadband is your source for up-to-date news and information about Broadband use, policy and trends especially in Minnesota. Subscribe today.

Mankato

Alltel Wireless (http://tinyurl.com/26j2g8) has launched broadband Wireless Internet service in Mankato and surrounding communities in Minnesota and Iowa.

Montevideo

The City of Montevideo will be holding classes for the general public on a series of topics, including basic computer use, the internet, computer security at the community center. The classes will be held in November, December, January and February.

Monticello

Monticello has started construction on a city-wide 100% fiber optic network that will bring telephone, Internet and cable TV service to every home and business inside the city limits. A telephone referendum was held on September 18 and city residents came to the polls to provide a 74% voter approval telling the City of Monticello that they wanted another choice for telephone service. (Learn more - http://tinyurl.com/2weao3)

Renville County Get Broadband Update

Renville County has been working on newspaper articles and videocasts with local grape producers to promote economic development. A $500 grant was recently awarded to a local coffee shop. They also offered an ecommerce class on the Fairfax Campus. (Learn more http://tinyurl.com/22hxez)

Rosemount

In 2000, Rosemount gave builder Evermoor and FTTH Communications permission to build a community of 1,100 homes, each of which would include fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). A state law requires cable television providers to serve an entire community. So, when Rosemount granted the right to build the fiber network, it did so with the condition that FTTH Communications extend the service to the rest of Rosemount by the end of 2008. That has not yet happened; FTTH is being purchased by St. Paul-based Rudder Capital Corp. and the hope it that Rudder Capital will speed up the effort. (Learn more http://tinyurl.com/2xjvyw)

Twin Cities

ATT (http://tinyurl.com/2844hz) has just deployed a wireless broadband network in the Twin Cities.

December 5, 2007 – TISP Meeting (Minneapolis MN) - METRO Regional Broadband Task Force: Who We Are and What We Do (http://tinyurl.com/2f5lfr)

January 22-24, 2008 – Digital City Expo (Phoenix, AZ) - an event that will give attendees the knowledge to make decisions about their city’s digital future. (http://www.digitalcityexpo.com)

January 22-24, 2008 - Strategy and Innovation Forum (Orlando, FL) - brings together executives to benchmark, analyze, scrutinize, and strategize the online retail growth opportunities and innovations. (http://shop.org/innovation08/)

February 21, 2008 – Megaconference Jr – an event for and by students of the world. (http://www.megaconferencejr.org)

The GIG Group is an active and growing ad hoc organization pursuing the development and adoption of a vision for a connected Minnesota. Membership includes representatives from private business, municipal government and the University of Minnesota. You can find out more about the group at their web site (http://www.giggroup.org). 

The group has adopted a good position paper.  It includes a list of best practices of what states are doing to promote broadband deployment through policies, laws, partnerships and programs. Also, there are links to a number of interesting presentations and papers that provide good reading.

I ask that you visit the web site and click the speed test link where you can test your connection and plot your location on the map.  The map is set up to focus on the State of West Virginia, but you can simply enter your zip code.  If you are taking the test at home, your fastest speed will be with your computer that you have wired directly to your modem or router.  I was a bit surprised how much slower my wireless connection was compared to my wired connection.  Let others know about the test and build up some documentation on speeds available around Minnesota!

Happy Holidays!!

PorkBridge: http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine
The PorkBridge distance learning program allows pork production owners, managers and employees to increase knowledge and skills in grow-finish production without leaving their home.