Image: Lake County BBC rear shot of student and senior
Community Broadband Gear
Online resources you can use to bring the power of broadband to your community
Online resources for communities as they learn about, talk about and use the power of broadband for every resident.
Promoting Broadband
Journey to Broadband – This video takes us to three rural Minnesota places – Grand Marais in Cook County, Lac qui Parle County, Deer River in Itasca County – to hear their stories. Created by Blandin Foundation (2010)
The Community Broadband Development Process – A decision-making flowchart that helps you gather the facts and begin a conversation based on the needs of your community.
Minnesota Broadband Task Force Annual Reports – the Task Force’s annual reports will address areas such as: the needs, barriers, issues and goals for broadband access; the needs and use of broadband in various sectors; digital inclusion definitions and the benefits, needs and strategies for addressing identified gaps; availability and accessibility for unserved and underserved populations; advances in broadband technology; opportunities to coordinate with other levels of government; and continued review of the adequacy and appropriateness of MN’s broadband goals.
Building Broadband
Lessons from Rural Minnesota Broadband Feasibility Studies – A study of eleven Minnesota-based reports assessing the feasibility of a community and/or commercial backed broadband network. Includes lessons learned and recommendations for other communities looking into improving broadband in their areas. Created by Ann Treacy, sponsored by the Blandin Foudantion. (2014)
The Return from Investment in Broadband Infrastructure and Utilization Initiatives – An objective analysis of the potential economic benefits from investment in enabling broadband infrastructure and in promoting the increased utilization of Internet-enabled applications and processes. (repared for Blandin Foundation by Strategic Networks Group, Inc. (SNG). (2014)
NTIA’s BroadbandUSA Federal Funding Guide 2021 – The guide includes the same information that is found on NTIA’s Federal Funding site, updated with the support of participating agencies, to make it easier for providers and communities to find federal funding and permitting information. Funding opportunities include direct grants, loans, indirect support, and discounts for industry, state and local governments, schools, libraries, small businesses, and other community institutions that are interested in expanding and improving broadband access.
Using Broadband
DigitalLiteracy.Gov – a central location to find and share digital literacy content and best practices.
Organizations
Baller Herbst Stoke & Lide – lawyers who work extensively on broadband issues and send out a daily email on telecommunications and broadband news.
Community Broadband Networks – Case studies, fact sheets, and video to help leaders make decisions about community owned networks.
Connected Nation – work on mapping broadband access and adoption as well as digital inclusion programming.
FTTH Council – promotes deployment of fiber networks by demonstrating how fiber-enabled applications and solutions create value for service providers and their customers, promote economic development and enhance quality of life.
Lone Eagle – design services for custom training programs to produce short term measurable outcomes for local, regional, state, and national broadband awareness and adoption campaigns and projects, with an emphasis on specifically for vulnerable populations.
NTIA (National Telecommunications & Information Administration) – the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues.
USDA Rural Utilities Services – administers programs that provide infrastructure or infrastructure improvements to rural communities.
Minnesota Organizations
Office of Broadband Development – helps Minnesota residents understand broadband options available, including grants available through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Minnesota Technology Literacy Council – a network of digital inclusion supporters committed to sharing best practices, advocating for technology and digital literacy skills and access, and promoting collaborative efforts.
Blandin Foundation – Supports and promotes better broadband in Minnesota through funding, programming and Blandin on Broadband’s daily articles on broadband in Minnesota.