BOOTHEEL BROADBAND STUDYRegional Technology Planning Team Report

July 2011

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

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RESIDENTIAL STUDY: WHO RESPONDED

County Frequency % of Total respondents

County pop as % ofBootHeel 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

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RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: WHO RESPONDED ?

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RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: AGE OF RESPONDENTS

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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)

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RESIDENTIAL STUDY - DEMOGRAPHICS

Education Level

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

High School Graduate

Some College or Associates

College Degree

Graduate Degree

No Response

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RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: COMPUTER OWNERSHIP AND INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME

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RESIDENTIAL SURVEY: WHEN DID HOUSEHOLD FIRST OWN A COMPUTER AND WHEN DID THEY FIRST HAVE ACCESS TO BB/ HSI AT HOME ?

1%

6%

18% 16%

58%

0%

24%

40%

15% 12%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Less than 1yr 1-3 yrs 4-7 yrs 8-10 yrs More 10 yrs

% HH with Computer % HH with BB or HIS at home

Computer trend line Internet trend line

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RESIDENTIAL STUDY – TYPE OF INTERNET SERVICE

Dial-Up

Cable Modem

Satellite

Cellular Broadband

DSL

Fixed Wireless

3%

23%

3%

3%40%

4%

Type of Internet Service

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APPLICATIONS (RESIDENTIAL)

Sell something online

Operate or support a home-based business

Share something online that you created yourself

Look for information about a place to live

Work from home (telecommuting)

Take a class or do homework

Contribute to a website, blog or other online forum

Look online for information about a job

Play online video games

Visit your state, region or local government’s website

Watch television or other videos

Buy something online

Do any online banking

Look online for news or information about politics

Look for health or medical information

Use an online social networking site like Facebook or LinkedIn

Look for information about a service or product you are thinking of buying

Keep in touch with family and friends

11%

13%

17%

21%

21%

24%

25%

33%

41%

44%

46%

57%

58%

63%

64%

70%

79%

83%

Internet Activity in the Last 7 Days

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RESIDENTIAL STUDY – IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND ACCESS

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not at all Important

Don't Know

44%20%

14%8%

14%

How important is it for ALL RESIDENTS of the State of Missouri to have access to computers and the Internet?

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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

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BUSINESS STUDY – RESPONSES BY COUNTY

By County:Scott 27%Dunklin 4%New Madrid 0%Stoddard 34%Pemiscot 31%Mississippi 4%

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EMPLOYEE BUSINESS SIZE

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

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BUSINESS CATEGORIES

5%

5%

32%

16%

11%

5%

16%

5%

5%

Administrative and Support Services

Educational Services

Finance and Insurance

Health Care and Social Assistance

Professional, Scientific and Technical …

Public Administration

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Retail Trade

Utilities

National Business Class

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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.

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CURRENT INTERNET PROVIDER

Top 5 MentionedAT&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

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TYPES OF INTERNET CONNECTIONS

1

3

13

4

4

2

2

0 5 10 15

Satellite Broadband

Fiber to the Premises

DSL

Fixed Wireless

Cable Modem

Mobile Wireless (Cellular Aircard)

T-1

Type of Internet Connection(Multiple Responses allowed)

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BROADBAND SERVICE RATINGSRating of Broadband Services

ServicesVery

SatisfiedSatisfied Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

Don’t Know/Not Applicable

ResponseCount

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 for service

14% 41% 13% 9% 23% 22

Installation technician’s ability and courteousness 14% 45% 9% 0% 32% 22

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SUPPORTED INTERNET APPLICATIONS

96%

4%

52%

4%

39%

74%

57%

35%

57%

13%

52%

13%

26%

E-mail

Videoconferencing

File sharing

Internet telephone

E-business

Website applications

Business to business functions

On-line education

Banking

Monitoring functions (energy, security, …

Research

On-line appointments

On-line customer support

Internet Supported Business Applications

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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’

faster speed and reliable connections were key reasons 22

COMMERCIAL BROADBAND ENVIRONMENT

10.5%

47.4%

36.8%

5.3%

Competitive, several options

Somewhat Competitive, two providers

Not Competitive at All, only one provider option

There is not a broadband option available that is suitable for my

business.

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0%

Availability of Multiple, Competing Broadband Options

72% reported not knowing their speed 23

COST OF SERVICE

10.0%

40.0%

10.0%

5.0%

10.0%

25.0%

Less than $50

More than $50 and less than $100

Between $100 and $200

Between $200 and $300

More than $300 per month

Don’t know how much we pay.

Cost of Broadband

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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

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INDIVIDUAL SECTOR DATA

Agriculture (24 OL) Broadband Provider (1 OL) Community and Social Services

(2 OL) Economic Development Sector

(9 OL) Energy Sector (2 OL) Environment Sector (1 OL) Healthcare Sector (4 W/8 OL) Higher Ed Sector (8 W/11 OL) K-12 Education Sector (17 OL)

Industrial and Manufacturing Sector (2 OL)

Library Sector (3 W/4 OL) Local Government (37 OL) Public Safety (6 OL) Tourism (10 OL) Workforce Development (15 OL)

Written (W) and Online (OL) Sector Surveys were received from the following groups:

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 access33

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

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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

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TOURISM

50% indicate that Broadband technology is cost prohibitive. Needs include: Greater availability 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

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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 areas37

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Providers are asked during Phase 2 to present their ideas on possibilities for advancing the broadband environment.

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SWOC ANALYSIS

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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.

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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.

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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 Overview2. Purpose Statement3 Detailed SWOC Findings and Analysis4. 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 considerations6. Timelines and benchmarks for measuring progress

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Additional Discussion

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

IN THE BOOTHEEL BROADBAND

PLANNING PROJECT!

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