{"id":654858,"date":"2013-04-24T14:28:07","date_gmt":"2013-04-24T18:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blandinonbroadband.org\/?p=8523"},"modified":"2013-04-24T14:28:07","modified_gmt":"2013-04-24T18:28:07","slug":"minnesota-broadband-task-force-april-meeting-full-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/654858","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Broadband Task Force April Meeting: Full Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday I attended the Minnesota Broadband Task Force meeting. They heard from several folks who offer reduced rate packages (broadband, computers and training) in Minnesota. They also heard from two ARRA-funded broadband adoption programs.<\/p>\n<p>There was some talk about policy. It boiled down to two issues that remain open. First the establishment of an Office of Broadband Deployment \u2013 the big question is where it will land and who will do the hiring. Second is the Dig Once issue.<span id=\"more-8523\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Comcast Internet Essentials: Carlie\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n<p>According to FCC &#8211; 92% of households have access to broadband but 35% aren\u2019t adopting. We realized that we could close the gap by targeting low income households.<\/p>\n<p>People needed to understand how and why to use technology safely.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.internetessentials.com\/\">Comcast Internet Essentials<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Offer Internet access for $9.95 (3 Mbps)<\/li>\n<li>Computers for $150<\/li>\n<li>Offer online training and partner with local trainers<\/li>\n<li>No set up fee<\/li>\n<li>No credit check<\/li>\n<li>Will now include kids in private schools<\/li>\n<li>Opening online application process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Eligibility<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have a child that qualifies for National School lunch programs<\/li>\n<li>Started in 2011 \u2013 program ends at end of next year (original 3 year contract)<\/li>\n<li>Will serve that cohort until kids are through 12<sup>th<\/sup> grade<\/li>\n<li>Live in Comcast Area<\/li>\n<li>Is your Comcast bill current<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Results<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>150,000 low income families nationally (600,000 people)<\/li>\n<li>2500 families in the Twin Cities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lessons Learned<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Engagement drives participation \u2013 needed a local partner<\/li>\n<li>Relevance takes time<\/li>\n<li>Education is important (teaching people why\/how to use technology)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>CenturyLink\u00a0Internet Basics: Joanna Hjelmeland<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Comcast &amp; CenturyLink have similar programs<\/p>\n<p>Launched in 2011<\/p>\n<p>Our goal was to reach underserved and get computers in the home<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.centurylink.com\/home\/internetbasics\/\">CenturyLink\u00a0Internet Basics<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Offer prices of $9.99<\/li>\n<li>Offer training<\/li>\n<li>Offer affordable Internet-ready tablet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Works with all ages, has had sessions in schools. We\u2019ve had more targeted outreach. Have a new partnership with PCs for People. We work with outreach via phone customers. And that\u2019s been successful. We work to refine local partners.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve heard from people that the access to computer is still a big issue.<\/p>\n<p>Eligibility<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Qualify for lifeline<\/li>\n<li>Qualify for free lunch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lessons Learned<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We are working with multi-dwelling, low income housing partners.<\/li>\n<li>We\u2019ve tried to make our collateral more community focused\/looking than sales-focused.<\/li>\n<li>Having a dedicated retail person has been helpful<\/li>\n<li>A challenge can be finding the right demographic. A booth at the State Fair can be fun \u2013 but you can\u2019t serve most of the people who stop by.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s a high touch process \u2013 usually three contacts before someone becomes a customer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>About 1700 families participating in Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p><b>C2C\u00a0: Dick Sjoberg<\/b><\/p>\n<p>C2C\u00a0and MIRC projects in Thief River Falls<\/p>\n<p>Similar experience as Comcast &amp; CenturyLink<\/p>\n<p>Lessons Learned<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You have to be proactive. People won\u2019t come to you; they don\u2019t see the relevance. It\u2019s a very hands-on process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We did 2 projects in MIRC; we worked with community partner who knew low income community. A lot of work was done one-on-one.<\/p>\n<p>Eligibility<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Free lunch with 6<sup>th<\/sup> graders to seniors<\/li>\n<li>Had to sign up for 8 hours of training<\/li>\n<li>We didn\u2019t worry about credit issues \u2013 we worked with customers with outstanding bills. This had been an issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>MIRC Service<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>9.95\/month<\/li>\n<li>Free cable modem<\/li>\n<li>Free computers from PCs for People<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>One year after the fact 11 of 13 customers continued with service even after having to pay for it.<\/p>\n<p>More on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.connect2compete.org\/\">C2C \u2013 Connect to Compete<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>9.95\/month service<\/li>\n<li>$150 computer (through Redemptech<\/li>\n<li>Online training available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We also created a little Geek Squad with 9 kids at risk. Provided mentoring. Asked them to learn skills required. They would give quick training to each family that got a new computer. They got paid for their work. All kids graduated. (Spent less than $1000 over a couple of semesters.)<\/p>\n<p>C2C\u00a0is now working on EveryOneOn.<\/p>\n<p>QUESTIONS<\/p>\n<p>Are these programs sustainable financially?<\/p>\n<p>They are social opportunities that get more people online. And people do better when they are online.<\/p>\n<p><b>Broadband Access Project\u2014James DeSota <\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>$3 million from ARRA funding and matching funds from the University.<\/li>\n<li>It was developed from community partners (Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Results<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>3 new and 9 improved PCCs\u00a0(public computer centers) &#8211; 143 workstations in Mpls\/St Paul<\/li>\n<li>More than 15,000 of computer training provided (Internet safety was a popular topic \u2013 especially in Somali community)<\/li>\n<li>More than 90,000 Public Computer Center visits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lessons Learned<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Relationships and Institutions are key<\/li>\n<li>Forced the University to make shared decisions, which was a good thing<\/li>\n<li>Outreach is key \u2013 got a guidebook from the feds but it wasn\u2019t as helpful with our targeted population. Creating partnerships who did work with target population was helpful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The apprentice program was successful but it was an interesting look at the importance of trust. When a new cohort of apprentices started there was an immediate drop off in response \u2013 which was fairly quickly regained when the new cohort became known to participants.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a video from the program:<\/p>\n<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text\/html' width='500' height='312' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LkLmbMtGMr0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;%23038;fs=1&#038;%23038;showsearch=0&#038;%23038;showinfo=1&#038;%23038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;%23038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text\/html' width='500' height='312' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KjTb3e1cZjQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;%23038;fs=1&#038;%23038;showsearch=0&#038;%23038;showinfo=1&#038;%23038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;%23038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>And a video of James\u2019 presentation:<\/p>\n<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text\/html' width='500' height='312' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ks2Mt46x-w0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;%23038;fs=1&#038;%23038;showsearch=0&#038;%23038;showinfo=1&#038;%23038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;%23038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>QUESTIONS<\/p>\n<p>Who provided the connectivity?<\/p>\n<p>The grant paid for some Comcast connections \u2013 at a slightly reduced rate.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fosi.org\/\">Family Online Safety Institute<\/a> might provide some help to promoting safe surfing support.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.emerge-mn.org\/\"><b>EMERGE<\/b><\/a><b>\u2014Mike Wynne, President and CEO<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Creating a career technology center in Northeast Minneapolis.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will provide basic computer training to advanced topics.<\/li>\n<li>Will work on job readiness<\/li>\n<li>Will work on entrepreneurial training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmong.org\/\"><b>Hmong American Partnership<\/b><\/a><b> \u2013 Bruce <\/b><\/p>\n<p>Provide a one-stop-shop for families and elders. Strive to bring broadband access to all ages.<\/p>\n<p>Challenges:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cost &amp; Accessibility<\/li>\n<li>Language Barriers<\/li>\n<li>Generational Divide<\/li>\n<li>Relevancy<\/li>\n<li>Confidentiality: Personal Security and Safety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Effective Strategies<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Community-based partnerships<\/li>\n<li>Intergenerational approach<\/li>\n<li>Culturally and linguistically appropriate training &amp; outreach<\/li>\n<li>Sustainable, relevant programming<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text\/html' width='500' height='312' src='http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/APEi8Q_60Ps?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;%23038;fs=1&#038;%23038;showsearch=0&#038;%23038;showinfo=1&#038;%23038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;%23038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Legislative remarks from Margaret Anderson Kelliher<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Future Appointees<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We should be getting 2 maybe 3 new members of the Task Force before the next meeting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Two hot issues:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Establishment of Office of Broadband is moving forward \u2013 about ready to go to conference committee.\n<ul>\n<li>There are outstanding issues \u2013 where will the office reside? Who will make staffing decisions<\/li>\n<li>There are concerns with Dig Once. Laura Ziegler is here to speak more.<\/li>\n<li>There is an issue with sales tax. We had proposed a reduction in sales tax for broadband deployment. The Governor had made a larger decision to expand business taxes.<\/li>\n<li>Funding from e911 for broadband deployment is a dead issue with the Legislature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>12:05-12:30 Lunch\/Closed small group legislative discussion<\/p>\n<p><b>Subgroups \u201cBroadband Adoption\u201d &#8211; Shirley Walz<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Continuing work on Why Broadband site<\/li>\n<li>Targeting outreach\n<ul>\n<li>Are there demographics we should be hitting? Such as AARP?<\/li>\n<li>We want to gather what\u2019s happening.<\/li>\n<li>Look at top 10 states and determine what they\u2019re doing.<\/li>\n<li>Look at Connect MN surveys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Legislative and upcoming events update \u2013 MAK<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Discussion on Office of Broadband Deployment<\/b><\/p>\n<p>MNDot \u2013 they already have a database of construction. So adding that aspect didn\u2019t make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n<p>Location of Office \u2013 is being discussed at a high level. Departments are discussing it with Governors. Right now it really seems that it will land in Commerce. The question right now is who should appoint the staff.<\/p>\n<p>DEED is Department of Employment \u2013 we think of this as Economic Development issue so Commerce has emerged as the place to fit the office of broadband.<\/p>\n<p>House Bill does not require regular updates on fiber database.<\/p>\n<p>Policymakers sometimes want to make policy \u2013 we just advise.<\/p>\n<p><b>Discussion on Incentives:<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Incentive issues will probably die in this session. The discussion on e911 became problematic.<\/p>\n<p><b>Discussion on Taxes<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Sales tax exemption \u2013 we wanted to expand the tax exemption. Unfortunately things are moving in a different direction. It might be helpful to voice an opinion once this goes to farther. Maybe we could give an example from Dick Sjoberg.<\/p>\n<p>This would further delay Minnesota\u2019s ability to reach the broadband goals.<\/p>\n<p><b>Subgroups \u201cBest Practices\/Incentives\u201d \u2013 Dick Sjoberg<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What are the other states and countries doing to encourage private development and adoption?<\/li>\n<li>We need to review Katz study for more ideas<\/li>\n<li>We need to discuss how aggressive the Task Force should be about engaging the Governor\u2019s Office and Legislature on our issues. If we don\u2019t advocate, who?<\/li>\n<li>What more can we do to help the schools libraries and minority community?<\/li>\n<li>Prepare a list of three \u201ctop\u201d choices for our advocacy<\/li>\n<li>Facilitate a meeting with CEOs, CFOs, and VPs of Plant and Technology to discuss how providers can be motivated to build the un-served areas of the state<\/li>\n<li>Learn what is in the Senate bill and react\/act.<\/li>\n<li>Work on an incentive plan for the Adoption group\u2019s recommendations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Question from Maureen<\/p>\n<p>We heard from Personal Health Record of the Future \u2013 in Health Committee. It might be nice to get that here as well.<\/p>\n<p>It might be nice to have a healthcare themed meeting. Maybe at North Memorial next month &#8211; May 14<\/p>\n<p>2:00 Adjourn<\/p>\n<p>  <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/feeds.wordpress.com\/1.0\/gocomments\/blandinonbroadband.wordpress.com\/8523\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.wordpress.com\/1.0\/comments\/blandinonbroadband.wordpress.com\/8523\/\" \/><\/a> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/stats.wordpress.com\/b.gif?host=blandinonbroadband.org&#038;blog=785113&#038;%23038;post=8523&#038;%23038;subd=blandinonbroadband&#038;%23038;ref=&#038;%23038;feed=1\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday I attended the Minnesota Broadband Task Force meeting. They heard from several folks who offer reduced rate packages (broadband, computers and training) in Minnesota. They also heard from two ARRA-funded broadband adoption programs. There was some talk about policy. It boiled down to two issues that remain open. First the establishment of an Office [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-654858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/654858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=654858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/654858\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=654858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=654858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=654858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}