Broadband: Rural Expansion is a Priority Guest Column by Ellen Nowak
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cross Wisconsin, and especially in its rural areas, broadband access is a priority need. The availability of highspeed, reliable internet service is critical to economic development, job growth, precision agriculture, education, health care and the vitality of rural communities. Rural broadband expansion is often challenging because high deployment costs and lower population densities make it more difficult for providers to realize a return on their investment. Fortunately, there are several initiatives with objectives to assist in rural broadband expansion: Broadband Forward Community Certification Program Legislation signed into law by Governor Scott Walker earlier this year encourages broadband development and deployment by certifying local communities as being Broadband Forward. A Broadband Forward Community Certification signals that a local unit of government has taken voluntarily steps to reduce obstacles to broadband infrastructure investment. For more information, please contact the Wisconsin Broadband Office at 608.267.9138. Broadband Demand Survey The 2016 Broadband Demand Survey measures consumer demand of highspeed internet access in Wisconsin. It gives residents and businesses the opportunity to voice their need for improved internet access or service. The responses to the survey will help state planners and policymakers better understand consumer demand for internet access in Wisconsin. You are encouraged to participate and make sure that your voice is heard. The broadband survey will remain open through November 23, 2016. To complete the survey, please visit: www.psc.wi.gov/BroadbandSurvey.htm.
Those unable to access the website may take the survey by calling toll-free 877.360.2973. Broadband Expansion Grant Program To assist in the expansion of broadband in Wisconsin, Governor Walker created the Broadband Expansion Grant Program. In 2015, Governor Walker and the Legislature tripled funding for broadband expansion grants in the 20152017 biennial budget to $1.5 million annually; with a total of $6 million to fund grants during a 4-year period. In its latest round of grants in August 2016, the Commission awarded $1.5 million to 17 projects. To date, the program has resulted in more than $10 million in broadband expansion in rural areas ($3.9 million in grants and $6.2 million in additional, private investment). These grants provide reimbursement for equipment and construction expenses incurred to extend or improve broadband telecommunications services in underserved regions of Wisconsin. The Public Service Commission (PSC) awards grants based on the following criteria: matching funds, public-private partnerships, existing broadband service, project impact, economic impact and scalability. An application for a grant may be submitted by any of the following entities: • An organization operated for profit or not for profit, including a cooperative. • A telecommunications utility. • A city, village, town or county that has established a legal partnership or joint venture arrangement with an otherwise qualified organization or telecommunications utility. More information for applicants can be found at www.psc.wi.gov. Legislative Council Study Committee on Rural Broadband The Joint Legislative Council established the Study Committee on
Rural Broadband, under Chair Senator Howard Marklein and Vice Chair Representative Warren Petryk to review the Wisconsin Broadband Expansion Grant Program and the extent to which it has encouraged construction of broadband infrastructure in areas of the state with few broadband service providers. The Joint Legislative Council has directed the study committee to: • Discuss the criteria used to evaluate applications and award grants. • Consider alternatives for determining eligibility and prioritizing proposed projects. • Consider alternative methods for encouraging construction of broadband infrastructure. • Identify options to recommend. The study committee has scheduled monthly meetings from August to December 2016. For more information on committee meetings and upcoming meetings visit: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lc/ study/2016/1496. Nowak is the chair of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
October | November 2016
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