American Recovery & Reinvestment Actof 2009 Broadband Initiative

Public MeetingMarch 19, 2009Washington, DC

Definition of Underserved Areas and Reaching Vulnerable

Populations

Mark RichertDirector, Public Policy

American Foundation for the Blindrepresenting the

Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology

Higher unemployment rates:-people with a disability "not in the labor force" 77%-people without a disability "not in the labor force" 29%

Coat recommends that people with disabilities be included in thedefinition of the population of individuals who are underserved and vulnerable.

Members of the American Cable Association:• Are uniquely situated to carry out the goals of the NTIA

and the RUS and stand ready to deliver

• Are established providers with existing networks and resources to quickly maximize the programs’ benefits

• Have shovel-ready "middle mile" and "last mile" projects that can deliver broadband to unserved areas; increase speeds in underserved areas; and stimulate the demand for broadband

• The definitions of unserved, underserved and broadband should be simple and based on speed.

Roundtable on Definition of Underserved Areas and Reaching Vulnerable Populations

• Definition of Underserved– Should tie into FCC’s evolving def. of broadband– Some level of broadband, but less than 12 Mbps

• Important for economic development in rural and non-rural areas, job creation, and U.S. global competitiveness

• Reaching Vulnerable Populations– Highly important: can enhance quality of life; create

economic opportunities; and can connect all citizens to community, government services, and world

Underserved Populations (technology) • Individuals and groups of individuals who do not have ready,

convenient and sufficient digital access. Includes individuals whose access is time- (can only use in 15 to 30 minute intervals) or place-limited (only use in places with restricted operating hours), and/or whose mode of access does not afford them sufficient privacy to ensure that the internet can be used for confidential matters such as healthcare and finance.

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• Focus on coverage (broadband penetration in particular geographies)

• Focus on access (expanding public availability and access to low-cost devices that can be used in the home or anywhere, anytime (exponential increase in “on-ramps” to the web))

• Focus on promoting relevant and accessible content that connects vulnerable populations to ‘mainstream’

Strategies to Expand Access

MMTC BBIC Broadband Remarks• Timely, Equitable Deployment

– Cable TV – South Bronx– Video Dial Tone – Electronic Redlining– Computers & Internet – Digital Divide– Broadband – Digital Inclusion

• Definitions Dictate Outcomes– “Broadband” Speed –

• Undercut incumbent incentives to improve• Waste resources by installing already obsolete technology

– “Deployment” Zip Code Methodology – undercount access– “Rural” & Eligibility – omit areas in need– “Mapping” - Oversight

“Underserved”: local government approach

• Broadband is critical infrastructure – utility:– Essential to economic and community development

• International standard is symmetrical, scalable 100 Mbps to 1Gbps. Anything less is underserved and a national concession.

• Service that is not affordable is not accessible and therefore area is underserved.

• Underserved if limited (in access or use) by social, political, economic, or commercial factors

POSITIONPOSITION::

States Have Critical Role in Identifying States Have Critical Role in Identifying UnservedUnserved & Underserved & Underserved AreasAreas

States Have Experience in Identifying Geographic Areas that ArStates Have Experience in Identifying Geographic Areas that Are e UnservedUnserved

No facilitiesNo facilities--based Internet access other than dialbased Internet access other than dial--up or satelliteup or satellite--based based Internet accessInternet access

States Have Experience in Identifying Communities that Are States Have Experience in Identifying Communities that Are UnderservedUnderserved

States Should Have Discretion to Recommend Approval of Grant States Should Have Discretion to Recommend Approval of Grant Applications for Broadband Services to Business, Educational & Applications for Broadband Services to Business, Educational & Public Facilities that Exceed National Threshold Minimum Public Facilities that Exceed National Threshold Minimum Broadband Speeds Broadband Speeds

States Have Experience to Recommend Priority Approval of States Have Experience to Recommend Priority Approval of Projects & Programs that Promote Access, Availability, Projects & Programs that Promote Access, Availability, Delivery, Education, & Affordable Usage of Broadband Delivery, Education, & Affordable Usage of Broadband Technologies & Services for LowTechnologies & Services for Low--Income CommunitiesIncome Communities

The importance of the “underserved” definition to small business–Small businesses play a key role in the U.S. economy as telecom providers and as small business customers

–For small business customers broadband should be available and affordable

–The language should ensure appropriate service levels for business

–The logical first step of any attempt should be an accurate map

–The definition of underserved should be technology neutral

–Community anchor institutions that support small business need connection

www.sba.gov/advo/

American Recovery & Reinvestment Actof 2009 Broadband Initiative

Public MeetingMarch 19, 2009Washington, DC