The Connected Nation Blog

Connected Nation Statement on FCC's Plans to include Broadband Services in Lifeline Program

2012-01-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

From Tom Koutsky, Chief Policy Counsel, Connected Nation

"Only thirty-seven percent of low-income households adopt and use broadband -- a rate barely half the national average. Every day, this broadband adoption gap limits economic opportunity, education, and healthcare for low-income Americans. This broadband adoption gap needs to be closed, and closed quickly before it becomes a perpetual chasm.

As an organization working to increase broadband adoption for the past ten years, Connected Nation supports the migration of existing voice subsidy programs to broadband and welcomes the Federal Communications Commission's adoption of a broadband low-income pilot program targeted at studying this problem. Our research led us early on to work directly with disadvantaged communities and key digital literacy partners like public libraries. We look forward to working with our government and provider partners to develop unique and innovative programs that are effective, actionable, and quickly scalable to close the low-income gap."

Learn more with this USF FAQ.

FCC Ready to Vote on Changes to Lifeline and Link-Up

2012-01-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

By Dev Joshi and Travis Lane, Research Analysts, Connected Nation

At its open meeting tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on its plan to overhaul the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Lifeline and Link Up programs that currently help low-income Americans pay for home telephone service. In 2010, approximately $1.2 billion was distributed through the program, comprising a significant portion of the overall USF program of $8.4 billion.

This “USF Redux” will include three elements. First, it will create a national database to reduce waste and abuse of Lifeline funds. Second, this new framework will let residents use Lifeline funds to pay for phone service bundled with high-speed Internet service. Third, it will establish a “Broadband Adoption Pilot Program” to test new ways for the Lifeline program to increase broadband adoption among low-income Americans. These pilot programs are expected to be launched later this year, and tomorrow’s vote will shed further light on the scope and scale of these programs.

Connected Nation supports programs that offer unique solutions for the myriad barriers to home broadband adoption. Importantly, such pilot programs should aim to address all the key barriers to broadband adoption. Even among low-income households (for whom price is a key barrier to broadband adoption), our research shows that cost is not the only reason why residents choose not to subscribe. Across seven states where Connected Nation has conducted intensive surveys focused on households that do not subscribe to broadband, over one-half of adults who don’t subscribe to home broadband service (52%) said they would not subscribe at any price. In addition to cost, low-income residents cite a lack of digital literacy and the belief broadband is irrelevant as top barriers to adoption, neither of which will be remedied by merely reducing the monthly cost of broadband service.

To be effective, broadband adoption programs need to address all of these barriers through educational programs to increase digital literacy and awareness of the benefits of having broadband service at home.

Patience of ECO Instructors Vital to Helping Seniors Get Connected

2012-01-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

For those who have never operated a computer before or are unfamiliar with the Internet, signing up to learn computer skills can be overwhelming. With the wealth of information that is available, learning this new skill can be both exciting and intimidating to a first-time computer user.

Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) free basic computer training is a beneficial resource to new adult computer users. In fact, more than 16,000 adults have already taken advantage of the training at 250 training facilities all across Ohio.

Larry Parks recently participated in the training through the Rossford Public Library in Wood County. Parks is 65-years-old, had never operated a computer before in his life, and felt it was time to learn some simple computer skills and to see what the Internet had to offer him. Parks says before entering the class, he only knew how to turn a computer on.

“My son and daughter have been encouraging me (to use the Internet) for years,” said Parks. “You’re never too old to learn something new.”

Parks has enjoyed the ECO training and had only nice things to say about his training instructor, Adam Murphy. He credits Murphy’s patience to helping him learn how to use the computer.

“If Adam was impatient with me, I probably would have quit,” said Parks. “It’s embarrassing to be slow at something. Adam has helped me, big time.”

Murphy says he realizes how overwhelming it can be for first-time users and focuses on helping his students concentrate on one task at a time. He also makes himself available for student’s questions, even after they’ve completed training. He periodically touches base with Parks, revisiting some of the class material.

“The classes are there to provide a foundation (terminology, starter tips, etc.) to allow the participants to get comfortable with technology,” said Murphy. “I want participants to learn enough to start exploring on their own and begin asking questions.”

Parks says that he is not completely comfortable with his new technology use yet, but he is regularly using the computer. Since taking the training, he is able to participate on his church’s prayer group list, which is communicated via e-mail, and he looks forward to checking out ChristianMingle.com.

Any Ohio adult is eligible for the 6-hour training program. Find a training location and register for Every Citizen Online classes today by calling 1-800-NOW-I-CAN (669-4226).

Find a training facility near you
Find additional information about the Every Citizen Online program

Broadband Mapping Goes Mobile!

2012-01-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

Great news today in our efforts to bridge the digital divide: We now have the ability to access the national broadband map on mobile devices!

What does it mean for Connected Nation?

As we work with communities, organizations, and local providers to assess broadband needs, we use the national broadband map to help examine what areas lack availability and how we, along with our partners, can go about bringing more broadband options to those areas. We're also very excited about our efforts to help build this map by contributing our own research and data to the project.

We encourage you to check out the new functionality at www.broadbandmap.gov and take a look at the broadband availability in your area. Do you have access, or do you live in an area that doesn't currently have broadband options?

Let us know, and join the conversation by shooting us a note on Twitter or Liking us on Facebook. We want to hear from you and get your broadband stories. Our efforts are about improving quality of life in communities and providing the benefits of broadband to more people.

Stay connected and help see our efforts through to success!

Social Media Takes Center Stage at the Super Bowl

2012-01-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

CNN Tech article highlights blend of culture, sports, and social media

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Social media has become an integral part of our culture. Just look at preparations for Super Bowl XLVI where a social media command center opened Monday and will run through Super Bowl Sunday.

A 2,800-square-foot space has been set up in downtown Indianapolis where techies will monitor the digital fan conversation via Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms from a facility that will utilize more than a mile of Ethernet cable.

This is an example of the "the ubiquity of social media and the absolute necessity for companies, organizations, and communities to use these tools to improve their relations with their customer, audiences, and citizens," wrote Michael Holmes, director of Ball State University’s Center for Media Design, who will be conducting a study of the command center’s operations.

To read the full article click here. Also, stay connected by Liking us on Facebook and Following us on Twitter to get the latest information on our effort to expand broadband adoption.

Connect America Fund FAQ's Answered

2012-01-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

By Phillip Brown, Director, Government Affairs & Advocacy, Connected Nation

In the short time since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an order that begins reforming the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) by creating the Connect America Fund and phasing out the existing High-Cost Fund, Connected Nation has noticed a big increase in the interest among Connected Nation stakeholders in the broadband mapping process and how Connected Nation’s broadband data (which is submitted for use in the National Broadband Map) might be a factor in USF broadband deployment funding.

To be sure, the National Broadband Map’s underlying data (and the data submissions Connected Nation provides for that) will be a great help to the FCC as it determines where in the U.S. Connect America Fund assistance can have the biggest impact on connecting unserved and underserved households.

To assist Connected Nation’s stakeholders at the state and local level, as well as broadband providers, we’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that we hope provides answers on how broadband mapping data will factor into the reformed USF.

Keeping the Door Locked to Your Online Accounts

2012-01-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Passwords are a pain to remember. That’s a given. It’s easy to go the quick route and choose a password based on personal information like a pet’s name or some not so random numerical selection like “123456”.

But if you don’t give some serious thought to the passwords you create then you might be jeopardizing your personal information and, even more importantly, your finances.

There are hacker programs out there that can crack these types of passwords in a matter of seconds.

The following article gives a few tips for protecting yourself by developing strong passwords.

You are now under attack by machines

After a hacking scare at Gawker Media last year, security firm Duo Security showed that it could crack 200,000 user passwords in under an hour using a "brute force" attack, in which computers try millions of passwords until one works.

Popular picks like "123456" take seconds to crack, but one with at least eight upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols will hold out long enough to send hackers searching for easier prey.

To check out the full article, please click here

Google Partnership Helps Internet Users Stay Safe Online

2012-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

By Dev Joshi, Research Analyst, Connected Nation

Yesterday, Google launched a new website called “Good to Know” which is designed to help Internet novices stay more secure as they explore the web. The site features advice on protecting personal information online, explains how personal information can be collected and used, and offers a dictionary of Internet security terms to help readers be more proactive when it comes to protecting their privacy. Google is partnering with four other organizations on this project:

This is an important issue because many Americans are choosing not to go online due to fears about online security and a lack of digital literacy (which often go hand in hand – with the increase in high-profile security breaches in the news, it’s easy for non-adopters to imagine an online scammer around every virtual “corner”). According to Connected Nation research, almost one out of five adults who don’t subscribe to broadband (19% or 3.75 million adults in states surveyed by Connected Nation) cite digital literacy as their biggest barrier to adopting broadband, including 4% or 782,000 residents concerned about security and fraud and 5% or 920,000 residents not comfortable using a computer.

Want to learn more? Stay connected by Liking us on Facebook and Following us on Twitter to get all the latest news on our efforts to bridge the digital divide.

Texas Broadband Task Force Meeting Highlights New Partnership for Better Computer Access and Skills

2012-01-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

Making more computers available and teaching people how to use them is the goal of an exciting new partnership presented at yesterday’s Texas Broadband Task Force meeting in Austin.

Executive Director Don Shirley explained how the Connected Texas initiative is partnering with the State Library to support statewide digital literacy efforts through increased public outreach and various incentives to drive more participation in computer training, subscription to the broadband Internet, and greater use of public computing centers across the state.

Other meeting highlights included a detailed look at the current state of FCC reform that is now in the works in Washington, D.C. and how the reform may impact Texas communications money.

Shirley also updated the Task Force on how the community engagement efforts are coming together for the new “Connected” community certification program. “Connected” is a community-based initiative to accelerate broadband access and use. The certification process benefits communities through a process of assessment, benchmarking, and planning by helping participants identify their community’s technological strengths and weaknesses and helping community partners match up with local opportunities.

The next meeting of the Texas Broadband Task Force is set for April.

Meantime, make sure to stay connected to the latest information on our efforts to expand broadband adoption throughout Texas. Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

Agenda Set for Today's Texas Broadband Task Force Meeting

2012-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

The Texas Broadband Task Force is coming together today in Austin to tackle high-speed Internet expansion issues across the state.

Some of the key topics on today’s agenda are:

USF reform
Connected Texas community engagement
A new partnership between Connected Texas and the State Library to improve digital literacy and computer adoption

Today's meeting will be held at 2PM. Be sure to check back here for an update of the meeting results.

Also, stay connected by Liking us on Facebook and Following us on Twitter to get the latest information on our effort to expand broadband adoption throughout Texas!

A Fast Start to 2012!

2012-01-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

The new year is only eleven days old and our team is already making great strides toward further bridging the digital divide in 2012!

Yesterday, Amy Kuhlers, Corey Johns, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) hosted our initial Connect Iowa advisory committee meeting in which they discussed the history of broadband expansion in the state, and the plan for bringing broader access to Iowa communities in the coming year. The meeting was a great success and set the groundwork for how we can work together with our partners across the state in 2012.

We’re also excited to announce that we will be partnering with the Iowa Association of Regional Councils (IARC) to launch our Connected community certification program. The effort will help us explore options and opportunities for expanding broadband access, adoption, and use in communities where it is underutilized.

Our team has already put together an impressive library of research on broadband adoption throughout the state and are working hard to fill in any gaps in that information, and build weekly goals to ensure that we are able to bring broadband to more schools, businesses, and communities across the state this year.

Want to learn more or get involved with our efforts in the new year? Stay connected by Liking us on Facebook and Following us on Twitter to get the latest news and information from the Connect Iowa team.

Here Comes Santa Claus: The Jolly Old Man’s Broadband Blip

2011-12-22T14:34:00.001-08:00

Santa Claus is coming to town. And now, thanks to broadband, you’ll know exactly when to expect him!

Jolly Old St. Nick is preparing the sleigh for his big night of round-the-world work. And, as soon as he takes to the sky, you’ll be able to track his travel with military precision.

NORAD is the military organization responsible for the aerospace defense of the U.S. and Canada. And now, the North American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking Santa on Christmas Eve.

The “NORAD Tracks Santa” app is available on Apple products, Android, and social media sites. The agency offers information by phone and online about St. Nick's location.

Children can visit the Kids' Countdown Village where there’s a new holiday game available every day until Christmas Eve.

Connect Ohio Selected as Semi-Finalist for TechColumbus Innovation Award

2011-12-16T11:27:00.001-08:00

The TechColumbus Innovation Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation by recognizing outstanding technology achievements in Central Ohio. Connect Ohio has been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Innovation in Non-profit Service Delivery category.

“It is an honor to be a Semi-Finalist for this award and to be recognized for our innovations in the delivery of the Every Citizen Online program, which helps prepare state residents without Internet knowledge or access for our technologically-driven society,” said Stu Johnson, Connect Ohio executive director.

On Thursday, February 2, 2012 the annual TechColumbus Innovation Awards will showcase Central Ohio’s many achievements by honoring its top innovators. It is a night of networking, prestige, and celebration. Winners in 13 award categories will be announced to an audience of 1,100+ attendees. This prestigious evening showcases the region’s advancements and promising future. For more information, visit www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org.

COMPANY AWARD CATEGORIES

Corporate Innovator of the Year
Outstanding Startup Business
Outstanding Product (fewer than 50 employees)
Outstanding Product (more than 50 employees)
Outstanding Service (fewer than 50 employees)
Outstanding Service (more than 50 employees)
Outstanding Technology Team
Green Innovation
Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery

INDIVIDUAL AWARD CATEGORIES

Executive of the Year (fewer than 50 employees)
Executive of the Year (more than 50 employees)
Outstanding Woman in Technology
Inventor of the Year

Minnesota Broadband Task Force Gears Up for Second Meeting

2011-12-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

St. Paul, MN – The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband is set for its second meeting on December 19. The agenda for the upcoming meeting is posted on the Broadband Task Force section of the Connect Minnesota website.

In August 2011, Governor Mark Dayton issued Executive Order 11-27 establishing the Governor's Task Force on Broadband and continuing his commitment to strengthening our state's infrastructure and fostering a strong business climate.

The Task Force is charged with expanding broadband access in Minnesota, with the goal of "border-to-border" high-speed Internet and cell phone access throughout Minnesota.

Such increases in broadband access and adoption will help us further bridge the digital divide while providing new ways of learning in schools, greater opportunity for small businesses, and better connections to family and friends across the state and nation.

The task force is made up of 15 members, appointed by the Governor. Members of the task force represent a balance of broadband interests, including consumers, business and residential users, educational and healthcare institutions, telephone and cable companies, wireless providers, as well as metro and rural local units of government.

Follow Connect Minnesota on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the progress being made by the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband!

How Technology is Fostering Unconventional Alternatives in Education

2011-12-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal produced an informative article on current trends in telelearning. More kids than ever before are attending school from their living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. The result: A radical rethinking of how education works. An excerpt from the story is below:

"It was nearing lunchtime on a recent Thursday, and ninth-grader Noah Schnacky of Windermere, Fla., really did not want to go to algebra. So he didn't.

Tipping back his chair, he studied a computer screen listing the lessons he was supposed to complete that week for his public high school—a high school conducted entirely online. Noah clicked on his global-studies course. A lengthy article on resource shortages popped up. He gave it a quick scan and clicked ahead to the quiz, flipping between the article and multiple-choice questions until he got restless and wandered into the kitchen for a snack.

Noah would finish the quiz later, within the three-hour time frame that he sets aside each day for school. He also listened to most of an online lecture given by his English teacher; he could hear but not see her as she explained the concept of a protagonist to 126 ninth graders logged in from across the state. He never got to the algebra..."

To check out the full article, please click here and be sure to follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter for more articles on how technology impacts your life!

Beware the Cyber Grinch!

2011-12-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

The growing number of online shoppers has a great impact on businesses across the globe. However, the ease of shopping online also comes with its share of risks thanks to those who make their money preying on digital consumers.

This holiday season, Connected Nation wants you to have the best online experience possible, and that's why we're giving you a quick heads up on how you can avoid the Cyber Grinch.

Of late, we've noticed an uptick in "phishing" e-mails. These e-mails attempt to get users like yourself to divulge personal information by claiming to be from different stores or shipping companies. If you get an e-mail that seems mysterious, keep an eye out for the following red flags:

1. E-mails asking you to run a program to check your shipping status.

2. Asking you to click a link to check your shipping status.

3. Informing you of a delivery failure and requesting you click a link.

We'd encourage you to avoid clicking links in any e-mail that seems out of the ordinary. Typically, these e-mails will come from third-party organizations, or e-mail addresses not associated with any major companies or shipping agencies. If you're unsure, call customer service from the sites you've made purchases from rather than taking a chance on an e-mail that doesn't seem quite right.

Online shopping can be a great tool to make your holiday season less stressful and we hope this quick warning helps you steer clear of those who are trying to corrupt the Christmas spirit.

For more information please Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter so we can continue sharing the latest news and information with you!

Stay Connected!

‘PCs for People’ Provides Technology Access for Low-Income Minnesotans

2011-12-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Connect Minnesota Program Manager Bill Hoffman recently toured the PCs for People facility to learn more about the great work this organization is doing to bring computers to low-income Minnesotans.

The photo of their warehouse shows shelves of computers waiting to be rehabbed and made available to eligible individuals and families across the state.

The Connect Minnesota 2011 Residential Survey found that only 65% of low-income residents have a computer at home, compared with 85% of citizens across the state.

“PCs for People gets computers into the hands of Minnesota families,” said Hoffman. “That is a vital first step in getting broadband into the home.”

Please visit their website at www.pcsforpeople.com/index.php to learn more and consider donating your used PC or laptop this holiday season. Be sure to follow Connect Minnesota on Facebook and Twitter for more articles on how technology impacts your community!

Your Computer Skills Help Lighten the Tax Load

2011-12-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

You have the power to help make the IRS experience a lot less taxing this year.

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for volunteers to assist in preparing tax returns for 2011 at various sponsored sites throughout the state. It’s called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

Individuals with good computer skills are especially needed to assist in preparing and transmitting returns electronically through the IRS E-file program. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. All volunteers receive tax training in cooperation with community partners and the IRS.

Volunteers are needed as Return Preparers, Site Coordinators, and Greeters.
Training is held in January and volunteers generally study online with Link & Learn Taxes to obtain their volunteer certification. The Link & Learn program is an interactive course that teaches the steps needed to prepare basic individual income tax returns accurately. Classroom training is also available. Once certified, volunteers spend as little as three to four hours per week from early February through mid-April working with people in need of VITA services.

Last year, volunteers helped more than 9,100 Nevada taxpayers receive more than $3 million from the Earned Income Tax Credit and distributed more than $11.7 million in total refunds. However, the IRS estimates that approximately 20-25% of the Earned Income Tax Credit is left unclaimed. Come help families in your community!
In Reno, Orientation is scheduled at United Way/Join Together Northern Nevada, 811 Ryland Street at 12:30 pm and at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Both are one hour long.

To sign up go to www.nevadavolunteers.org Keyword: VITA, or please contact Mike Lee, United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra at 775 325-8913. More information about the IRS volunteer tax preparation programs is available at www.IRS.gov.

Momentum Builds for Connect Michigan

2011-12-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Connect Michigan is excited to be partnering with local broadband providers, and the government of Barry County to bring broadband access to more homes in their community! Check out this great story on our new partnership below:

HASTINGS — Barry County has enrolled in a program seeking to increase access, reliability and use of broadband.

Connect Michigan is a statewide nonprofit organization promoting broadband expansion. Barry is only the second county in the state to begin working with Connect Michigan through a connected community certification program.

“Barry is a rural county with fantastic natural resources; however, those same assets can pose a geographic hindrance to broadband accessibility,” said Valerie Byrnes, president of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance.

“Increasing accessibility to residents and businesses will enhance our quality of life through expanded educational options online, ability to do business from home, and accessible social media options that most individuals rely on.”

To check out the full article, please click here and be sure to follow Connect Michigan on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on our efforts to bring broadband to more communities across Michigan!

Wired For Success: Nevada In Action

2011-12-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

The Summit Series: Michael Skaggs on Broadband and Economic Development

Nevada’s history-making broadband summit is helping state leaders leap into action. The mission: Spreading high-speed Internet access, adoption, and use to all corners of Nevada and bringing every business sector up to speed.

In this first installment of our 12-week blog series, Wired For Success: Nevada In Action, Mike Skaggs from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development defines the purpose and importance of economic development. Skaggs makes it clear that broadband access, adoption, and use is critical to Nevada’s economic recovery. Broadband also is key to protecting local businesses from future economic downturns.

Nevada businesses with broadband already earn an average of $100,000 more in annual revenue than businesses without broadband. To see how Nevada businesses stack up in broadband access, adoption, and use, check out Nevada’s Business Technology Assessment (http://www.connectnv.org/research)

Check back with connectnv.org to stay up to date on this blog series, and follow Connect Nevada on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest news on our efforts!

Students Demonstrate Computers’ Impact on Learning at Annual Technology Showcase

2011-12-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist, Connected Nation

Lansing, MI - Some 125 students from nearly 35 Michigan schools recently set up demonstrations to show legislators and the public how they are using technology to enhance their learning experience. The exhibition, held earlier this month at the 11^th annual AT&T/Michigan Student Technology Showcase at the State Capital Building in Lansing, provided an opportunity to show policymakers how technology is essential for preparing students for the knowledge workforce of the new economy.

Presented by the Michigan Association for Computer Users for Learning and underwritten by AT&T, the showcase featured:

An electronic classroom where 30 students used mini-laptops instead of books for all of their core classes
Elementary students creating compelling stories using digital cameras and Microsoft Photo Story 3 software on topics that include European explorers, anti-bullying, and scientific methods
Fourth- and fifth-graders comprise a school Tech Force and meet weekly to do technology-related projects, share ideas, and learn troubleshooting techniques

“We had a lab of about 15 computers for us to use,” said Sue Stone, a Beaverton Primary Elementary School instructor.

“The kids wanted to create something that they could take with them that would be meaningful. In the process they learned a word processing program and they learned how to do pretty much everything on their own.

“We use computers a lot for games, for Photo Story, and PowerPoint,” said Kylie Ray, a student from Pinewood Elementary. “I think technology is really important.”
Students displayed a variety of school projects highlighting how they’ve used technology to learn science, social studies, and language arts.

“Everything from skyping, video conferencing to blogging; but what is most important is learning,” said Mike Oswalt, a showcase organizer. “These students are learning for their future jobs in the twenty-first century.”

Learn more about broadband expansion and access as well as how you can get involved in bringing broadband to more Michigan schools, businesses, and communities. Please Like Us on Facebook and Follow Us on Twitter!

Governor’s Task Force Prepares to Tackle the Digital Divide

2011-11-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

Bloomington, MN - Today marks the first meeting of the Minnesota Governor’s Broadband Task Force. In September, Governor Mark Dayton issued an Executive Order to establish a Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and has directed the Minnesota Department of Commerce to create a Broadband Development Office.

Key items on today’s agenda will include reviewing the Task Force requirements, discussing recommendations on how best to proceed, considering future meeting dates and potential locations, and discussions on information and resources for the Task Force.

The Task Force mandate is to:

Develop, implement, and promote state broadband policy, planning, and initiatives to achieve state broadband needs and goals
Inventory, assess, and report on various aspects of broadband
Develop a Minnesota Broadband Plan outline

The Task Force is comprised of members representing both metropolitan and rural Minnesota regions and representing a variety of broadband interests including consumers, education institutions, healthcare institutions, telephone, cable, and wireless companies.

Broadband technology is a powerful tool that Minnesota residents are using on a daily basis because of the value that it brings to their lives. Connect Minnesota is working to make high-speed Internet available statewide, while empowering every Minnesota resident to use broadband to enrich their lives.

To achieve these goals, Connect Minnesota has conducted a survey of 3,032 residents across the state to see if they access broadband, and if so, how they are using it. In addition, we have conducted the largest state-level survey of people who do not subscribe to broadband to see what is preventing them from joining the digital community. Based on this data, we estimate that approximately 666,000 adults statewide do not have home broadband service, and adoption varies significantly across socioeconomic lines.

We will assist the Governor’s Broadband Task Force in working to ensure that all can experience the benefits of broadband.

Want to learn more?

Please take a moment to explore our new website and please Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!

Stay Connected!

Great Deals, Less Stress!

2011-11-28T07:16:00.000-08:00

Over $52.4 billion was spent on Black Friday (a new record!) as over 226 million shoppers braved long-lines and crowded stores to get deals they couldn't pass up. But Black Friday was just the beginning ...

Today is Cyber Monday and it's on pace to be the biggest ever, with over $1 billion in online sales. That means businesses will be rolling out can't-miss deals and savings for their online customers. While your friends, family, and neighbors were sitting in lines at their favorite stores, you can sit back in your favorite chair and handle your holiday shopping online.

Only a few years ago, online shopping was still in its infancy and it was unknown whether people would adapt to purchasing something they couldn't first hold in their hands. However, with the influx of broadband adoption and access as well as the continued expansion of mobile Internet, more and more people are researching goods and services online. Our research show that in most states, over 60% of adults will research or make purchases online. If you're a business person or savvy buyer banking on a successful Cyber Monday, that is great news.

Cyber Monday represents another clear example of how broadband adoption and expansion can have a powerful impact on communities and business across the country. Retailers are increasingly relying on online sales, and our efforts to bring broadband to more homes means they have a larger market to reach. On the consumer side, it allows people the option to avoid stressful holiday shopping and handle things in a much more user-friendly, efficient manner.

Are you planning on making purchases online today or at some point this holiday season? Let us know and take a look at this interesting article about some of the best places to check out for Cyber Monday deals!

Happy Shopping!

We're Thankful For You!

2011-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

By Jessica Ditto, Director of Communications, Connected Nation

Our efforts to increase broadband access and adoption are not simply about wires and cable -- it's about helping change lives through the opportunities that broadband provides. The digital divide in our country is keeping those opportunities out of the hands of many, but our work continues to bridge the gap. Because of your support, we continue to bring broadband to more schools, businesses, and communities across the nation. Today, we wanted to simply say how thankful we are for your support!

This month, we've been asking people to share their stories about why they're thankful for broadband. The response we received has been overwhelming and we wanted to share with you a few of the touching stories of how broadband is improving the quality of life for people all over our country.

Dee W. said, "We are a home-school family, so using broadband Internet access has been very helpful for the kids' research on school projects. My high school kids take dual enrollment classes online to get college credit, so having broadband was a must. Before we had broadband they had to go to town for weekly class chats and online assignments - quite a hassle! Now they can work from home. And when my college kids come home they can access their college website and do work while home for the weekend."
Ronald M. said, "I treasure the times that my grandchildren come to me and say, 'papaw, pbskids.org.' If it were not for broadband, I would miss this precious time."
Pam C. said, "I'm so thankful to have broadband Internet, which allows me to Skype with my daughter who is in the Navy hundreds of miles away. It also allows me to keep in touch with my sisters and my grandkids and kids. It has definitely brought our family closer together. We also stay in touch via Facebook."

The stories continue to pour in from people who have benefited from broadband. Your help and support bringing awareness to our efforts, and keeping up-to-date on our work is one of the biggest reasons why the broadband gap continues to close, and areas without access continue to dwindle.

From all of us at Connected Nation, we wish you a very safe and happy Thanksgiving and hope that you and your family have a very pleasant week!

Stay Connected and join us on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about our efforts!