CONNECTED NATION INC

Iowa State Broadband Initiatives: Connect Iowa Project Summary Data Collection, Integration, and Validation: Recognizing that connectivity challenges still exist, especially for rural residents, Iowa has embarked on an ambitious plan to make high-speed Internet more accessible and widely used throughout the state. In August 2009, the Iowa Utilities Board launched the Connected Iowa initiative to lay the groundwork for increased broadband in underserved areas. A key component of the Connect Iowa initiative is the mapping the current broadband availability throughout the state. Connect Iowa, by employing industry-standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) toolsets and experienced personnel, is delivering a comprehensive, granular map of existing broadband service. Connect Iowa, in conjunction with broadband providers, will update these maps on a routine basis to reflect real-time broadband availability. Maps will be accessible to the general public via an interactive portal located at www.connectiowa.org. The interactive portal will present overlaying data relevant to policymakers, providers, and consumers alike, including household density and other demographic information, topographical information, and civil infrastructure data. This project was originally funded for broadband planning activities and two years of data collection. In September of 2010, this project was amended to extend data collection activities for an additional three years and to identify and implement best practices. Planning: The Iowa Broadband Deployment Governance Board (IBDG) promotes deployment and sustainability of high-speed broadband access for the state. Connect Iowa will support the IBDG to carry out its work and will utilize data gathered through the mapping process to inform the planning efforts of the state. Connect Iowa will conduct ongoing market-based surveys to help the IBDG and public better understand technology use and barriers to broadband adoption among residents and businesses in Iowa. The outcome will be the development of data-driven analyses of challenges and opportunities related to broadband deployment and adoption. The primary tool for the program will be BroadbandStat, a GIS analytics solution developed jointly by Connected Nation and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) providing next generation solutions for broadband mapping and decision-making. The information gathered and analyzed through the planning program will establish the broadband goals for the state. State Broadband Capacity Building: Under the direction of the state, this project will provide staff support to the Iowa Broadband Deployment Governance Board and provide oversight of planning teams, field validation, research, and crowd sourcing activities. The Board currently exists, but has no staff to support its work. Technical Assistance: This funding will support a county-level survey in the second year of the project and a state-level survey in the fourth year. Connected Nation has already received funding through the initial State Broadband Initiatives (SBI) award to support state surveys in the third and fifth years of the project. With this funding, Connect Nation will have the ability to track broadband adoption rates, and the causes for non-adoption, over five years. Local Regional Technology Planning Teams: This project will provide training to and support the coordination of 14 regional planning teams across Iowa. The teams will benchmark technology use across relevant community sectors; set goals for improved technology use within each sector; and develop a plan for achieving its goals, with specific recommendations for web-based application development and demand creation.

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