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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 03112014 - D.5RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT presentation by the East Bay Broadband Consortium on the importance of increased broadband infrastructure as a foundation for continued economic growth in Contra Costa County and the greater East Bay. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. Informational report only. BACKGROUND: The East Bay Broadband Consortium is a partnership between Contra Costa Economic Partnership, East Bay Economic Development Alliance, Solano Economic Development Corporation and the East Bay Community Foundation. The Consortium is funded by a grant from the California Public Utilities Commission and its mission is to increase broadband deployment, access and adoption in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties. Two major initiatives are currently underway: 1) to raise awareness of the importance of increased broadband infrastructure as a foundation for continued economic growth, and 2) to bridge the “digital divide” by increasing broadband access and adoption in underserved and poor communities. With respect to the first initiative, the Consortium will present a slideshow about the importance of adequate broadband infrastructure to economic growth and job creation. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 03/11/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes:See Addendum VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: March 11, 2014 , County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: , Deputy cc: D.5 To:Board of Supervisors From:David Twa, County Administrator Date:March 11, 2014 Contra Costa County Subject:EAST BAY BROADBAND CONSORTIUM PRESENTATION ON BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE CLERK'S ADDENDUM ACCEPTED the report; and DIRECTED the Department of Conservation and Development to return to the Board in 60 days with a report and recommendations on how the County can move forward on development and/or implementation of the suggestions from the Consortium to encourage investment in broadband access and infrastructure with regard to general plan elements, County policies and practices, and ordinances and permitting. ATTACHMENTS Updated EBBC Presentation on Public Broadband Infrastructure Transforming the East Bay with a 21st Century Broadband Infrastructure #ebbroadband About the Consortium Regional Initiative of Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano County leaders Focused on improving broadband deployment, access and adoption in the East Bay • East Bay Broadband Infrastructure Initiative • East Bay Connects Campaign 41 Partners from Every Sector Steering Committee Funders What We’ve Done Already • Broadband Technical Committee • Three roundtable sessions • Two region-wide summits • Strategic plan for East Bay broadband infrastructure • Maps and analysis of East Bay’s current broadband infrastructure High Speed Internet you can access— anytime & anywhere What do we mean by broadband? Broadband Defined Broadband is high-speed internet access that allows users to send emails, surf the web, download images and music, watch videos, join web conferences, and more. Access is gained through: • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) • Cable Modem • Fiber • Wireless • Satellite Why Does Strong Broadband Matter? • Increase economic competitiveness • Improves public health, education and safety • Attracts new businesses and creates new jobs • Provides best services possible to residents • Builds sustainable communities Example: Broadband & Jobs Source: Sacramento Regional Research Institute Source: Center for Strategic Economic Research The East Bay How Are We Doing on Residential Broadband? Residential Broadband Grading Criteria Two competing providers, both advertising maximum download speeds at least 25 Mbps and maximum upload speeds of 6 Mpbs, or 3 or more competing providers offering that standard of service in combination. Competing providers, both advertising maximum download speeds of at least 10 Mbps and maximum upload speeds of 6 Mbps. Competing providers, one advertising max down/up speeds of at least 10/6 Mbps and the remainder meeting CPUC’s minimum 6 down/1.5 up standard. At least one provider advertising speeds that meet the CPUC’s minimum standards of 6 Mbps down and 1.5 Mbps up. At least one provider offers service, but no service is available that meets the CPUC’s minimum standard of 6 Mbps down and 1.5 Mbps up (underserved). Or no service at all (unserved). How Does a Community Get an “A”? Features of a community with an “A” grade: • Two or more providers • Strong internet speed • Large capacity Top 5 Cities: • Alameda • Berkeley • Concord • Pleasant Hill • Walnut Creek Alameda County: Grades for Residential Broadband ALAMEDA COUNTY C & D grades in most cities Contra Costa County: Grades for Residential Broadband CONTRA COSTA COUNTY C & D grades in most cities Solano County: Grades for Residential Broadband SOLANO COUNTY C & D grades in most cities Overall, the East Bay Has a Passing Grade Residential Alameda County C Contra Costa County C+ Solano County C– East Bay Region C Is a passing grade good enough? Q Alameda County: Map of Business Broadband Service ALAMEDA COUNTY Service to businesses varies widely across the county Contra Costa County: Map of Business Broadband Service CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Service to businesses varies widely across the county Solano County: Map of Business Broadband Service SOLANO COUNTY Service to businesses varies widely across the county East Bay’s Current Broadband Status Broadband is Barely Adequate Region meets statewide averages for residential broadband availability and core network infrastructure. However: • Gaps exist in urban coverage and adoption rates • There is room for improvement in mobile coverage, even in urban regions • Parts of the East Bay are lagging behind on broadband • Future demand requires that we improve our current infrastructure East Bay’s Current Broadband Status The Digital Divide Percentage of people on the wrong side of the digital divide: • CA – Over 25% • East Bay – Over 20% – Alameda – 23.5% – Contra Costa – 17.4% – Solano – 24.5% Source: Public Policy Institute Study Digital Inclusion Solution East Bay Connects joined OTX West to offer: An affordable broadband subscription (under $10/month) Free home computer, monitor, peripherals, and software Free digital literacy training A year of free tech support 21 Strong Broadband Models Lit San LeandroBroadband Providers InvestmentCompetition Concord Partnership The Impact of Strong Broadband Bishop Ranch What Local Government Can Do • General Plan Element • Policies • Ordinances and permitting • Provide information about East Bay Connects! & East Bay Broadband Consortium • Donate used computers for East Bay Connects! Adopt the Pledge EBBC Can Help • Maps of East Bay broadband capacity • Maps with grades of East Bay’s broadband infrastructure • Draft broadband pledges, resolutions, policies and strategies • Information on other successful broadband campaigns, models and resources • Downloadable presentations and fact sheets • Information about the East Bay Connects! Campaign How Can We Stay Connected? www.ebbroadband.org Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Sign up to our newsletter Join the East Bay Broadband Consortium Questions? @eastbayconnects Let’s Invest in Our Future Today www.ebbroadband .org