Thinking differently: learning & bridging broadband gaps in rural areas

Transcription

1 Thinking differently: learning & bridging broadband gaps in rural areas Bill Ashton, PhD Director, Rural Development Institute Brandon University Brandon, Manitoba

2 Overview Objectives Clarify rural broadband divide (in Manitoba) Challenge ourselves to think about advantages of rural broadband Presentation Broadband terms Rural context - digital divide Rural digital dividers Rural challenge Slide 2

3 Quote Insanity is when you keep doing the same things and expecting different results. The future is unevenly distributed. Parts of our future already exist. Slide 3

4 Terms Broadband: technology that transfers data across the internet at high speeds, so you can send data (upstream) and receive data (downstream). It s on all the time. Slide 4

5 Terms Broadband technology DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Max Speed 2-10 Mbps Cable (coaxial) 2-10 Mbps Wireless (mobile, fixed, microwave) 2-10 Mbps Satellite 2-10 Mbps Fibre optics (MB Hydro dark fibre) TV (Analog, white space ) (Horrigan, 2008) 50+ Mbps Quality Low quality with older phone lines and long distances to users High quality, speeds reduce with more users & heavy users, no powerline option High quality, low costs, good over hilly terrain Delayed, poor for video, good for remote areas MB costs/month $ bundled w. Cell, WWW, phone, HD $ bundled w. Cell, WWW, phone, HD $50+, $500 install km from tower $150 + install fee Very high quality, expensive Telcos + independents Slide 5

6 Rural Context 463 rural centres & RMs 420 Connected NetSet, et al 45 un or under-served (17 below 1.5 Mbps) Types of rural Urban centred rural Ag rural North & remote Slide 6

7 Rural Context Slide 7

8 Rural Context Basic coverage Slide 8

9 Rural Context 3G Source: Bell Slide 9

10 Rural Context 4G 21 Mbps (future extension) Source: Bell Slide 10

11 Rural Context 4G 42 Mbps Source: Bell Slide 11

12 Rural Context Connectivity urban/rural digital divide My story 1979 UofCalgary grad 1980 GIS data means layers of information 1990s luggable, bag cells, s, WWW 2000s yahoo, security 2010s - ipad, Google, Youtube, Twitter Digital divide: Lost opportunity cost Limited access outside larger urban centres Dial-up is slow, unable to handle heavy-users Negative impact on attracting new businesses Limits digital skills and knowledge Slide 12

13 Digital Dividend Innovative rural solution 1999 Insurance brokerage firm, 7 rural offices, 15 offices today Source: S. Andrews CEO 1999 R&D wireless equipment, corporate solution 2000 Commercialized the Network 2001 Connected Moosomin, Carlyle and Fort La Bosse school Div Added 8 schools, 5 towns, 2 institutions 2009 started 2 nd generation technology, 160km fibre, ongoing 2011 connected all Fort La Bosse Schools with Gigabit Fiber 2012 Added 1000 clients Slide 13

14 Digital Dividend Northern MB Selected Profile 129 centres, 70% Aboriginal comm. 85,168 pop, 7% MB pop Aboriginal identity 72% vs 16% MB Avg Age 25 vs 38 yrs MB Seniors 18% vs 32% MB (50+) Avg Income $13k/yr vs $24k MB % Income: gov 30% vs 13% MB 51% no high school vs 26% MB Source: StatCda 2006 Slide 14

15 Digital Dividend Broadband impacts Revenue impacts Cost impacts Employment impacts Churchill, MB (2005), (12 months) + $769,000 online orders (7 users) + $ 32,000 reduced printing (2 users) - Higher monthly charges - $32,400 high-speed MTS line (4 users) FTE ($102k/yr) FTE potential 7 users Slide 15

16 Digital Dividend Innovative rural solution Arctic Trading Company Churchill, MB Yellowknife NT Churchill, MB Slide 16

17 Digital Dividend Innovative rural solution Technologies exist for rural broadband Strategic alliances critical between provider and anchors and subscribers Continued research to service niche rural markets Skills development to increase uses Effective use takes times (yrs) Slide 17

18 Challenges Digital Dividend Gateway (interprov al) costly, regulations Some e-govt services technology needs updating Thinking about North access to hi-speed critical Public policy + action (learning curve) Longer time frame (adoption to saturation) Slide 18

19 Digital Dividend Connectivity from divide to digital dividend Rural digital dividends Consumers + Producers Prosumers 1% increase in broadband penetration rate (USA) equals an economic increase of 0.2 to 0.3%/year (Atkinson 2009) Rural digital dividends Business: retention, expansion Entrepreneurs start-ups innovations, patents, exports Health & social care: access to more services, more specialists, telemedicine, earlier detection/prevention, more staff training Protective services: faster responses, file sharing, access to specialists, training E-govt: engagement, permits Social cohesion: reduced citizen time, cost, and family disruption; increased contacts Slide 19

20 Rural Challenge What s needed Existing model 20 yrs in the making Infrastructure: govt and business investors, R&D, deployment Skills development Uses: XXXXXX agv users, number of devices, New thinking for rural communities Infrastructure: public anchor schools, e-health, govt services, & provider(s) Skills development: businesses, citizens, youth Uses: grow over time, strategic impact approach with social marketing Timeline: Start now Slide 20

21 Rural Challenge Challenge ourselves: New thinking Integrated approach - ROI Right people, right resources, right outcomes Govt service savings and prevention Infrastructure provider with precautions (monopoly) Local leaders & enabling govt agencies (policy, actions) Research, learn, transfer Slide 21

22 Challenge ourselves: New approach Evidence base Base line, rural success, bench mark Rural Challenge Learn & transfer Business case, partnerships, 2-5 communities Communities connected & dividends Action steps & investments Slide 22

23 Thank You William (Bill) Ashton, Director Rural Development Institute Brandon University Ph: Slide 23