High Speed Broadband Connectivity

Ubiquitous and affordable broadband access throughout Minnesota is essential to ensure a high quality of life and a global competitive future for our citizens, businesses and communities. Economic development is increasingly dependent on the availability of broadband. Expanding the availability and use of broadband technology will grow new markets for business, enhance educational

  

access, strengthen the quality and reduce the cost of health care, increase the potential to attract and retain high paying jobs, improve quality of life and provide Minnesota citizens and businesses with the capabilities necessary to compete in today's dynamic global marketplace.

However, the state currently lacks the policy framework necessary for the development of a robust broadband infrastructure. Minnesota neds to implement such a policy framework to become a world leader in the universal deployment and use of broadband.

 

Impact on DCR Chamber Members

DCR members operate in a global economy. Access to world-class broadband, as measured by speed, connectivity and use, is a competitive advantage. DCR member companies are also at the forefront of manufacturing the components, building the infrastructure and providing the value-add services that are necessary for the realization of broadband's full potential. For these reasons, DCR has an interest in ensuring that state policies promote the deployment of broadband technologies and services.

 

 

DCR recommends that a policy framework be defined and adopted. This policy framework should include the following elements:

- Promotion of a regulatory and competitive environment that will have a positive effect on private industry's incentive to invest in the deployment of broadband technologies.

 

- Removal of barriers that may prevent service providers from offering high speed information services to homes and businesses.

- Encouragement of the state to monitor the rollout of broadband services and to help ensure technology-neutral competition.

- Private industry solutions should be utilized, if available. Government investment should be an option only when private sector solutions are not viable.

 

Resources

Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Taskforce

the mission of the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Taskforce is to make recommendations to the governor and legislature regarding the creation of a statewide high-speed Internet access goal, and a plan for implementation by 2015.

The Taskforce comprises 26 members selected from rural and urban constituencies. The members represent a broad array of viewpoints and concerns, including those of:

  • Business and residential Internet users
  • Health care institutions
  • The education system
  • Telephone and cable companies, large and small
  • Wireless Internet service providers
  • Communications industry labor organizations
  • State, county, city and municipal government and governmental agencies
  • Concerned citizens statewide

Like similar initiatives in other states, the Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Taskforce acts in an advisory capacity to identify the level of broadband service needed and to determine appropriate goal regarding technical and financial aspects of statewide broadband Internet access, such as:

  • Future needs regarding connection speeds for sending and receiving data
  • Security vulnerability and redundancy concerns
  • Economic development opportunities and cooperation between the public and private sectors
  • Estimated costs and benefits
  • Impact on education, health care, government, community-based organizations and the public

Learn more about the Taskforce here

 

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