Project GOAL Aims at Getting Grandparents Online

Annie Woodsen, 91, shows off her graduation certificate which she earned from a senior computer training class sponsored by the Tennessee Community Foundation in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee.

Worrying about an aging loved one seems as American as apple pie.

Wishing grandpa had easier access to doctors and medical information;
Wishing grandma was better able to do the grocery and gift shopping that always gave her a sense of purpose;
Wishing they both could talk to their distant loved ones face-to-face more often.

These are the kind of wishes that can easily come true immediately by simply hooking up a computer to the Internet and teaching them how to use it. And now, a new organization is taking aim at accomplishing just that.

Project Get Older Adults onLine, or Project GOAL, has just been launched with its mission aimed at providing technology training resources for older adults and for organizations that serve older populations and their members. The training is meant to get senior citizens past the technology fear factor and plug them into the benefits of broadband. Project organizers point out how the Internet can reduce social isolation for seniors, help them stay connected to family members, keep their minds sharp, assist them in research on health or other information, connect them directly with doctors and medical monitoring, and help them accomplish chores like shopping without ever leaving home.

The fact is, high-speed Internet can greatly enrich the lives of older people, yet only 35 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have broadband at home. Project GOAL will work with seniors groups to match them with technology training in their area and help give them the resources they need to teach the elderly how to tap into the world of broadband.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is championing the new initiative and Project GOAL is backed by a number of technology companies like AT&T, Comcast, Facebook, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, and The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). Connected Nation is serving as an advisory member along with AARP and the American Telemedicine Association.

Staff from the Jefferson County, Tenn. Office on Aging stand with a student during a recent senior citizens technologically training course.

Related Articles:
News Article: Elderly Encouraged to Reap Benefits of Broadband (AOL News, 04/06/2010)
News Article: Tech Titans Encourage Seniors to Go Online (PC Magazine, 04/06/2010)

Kansas Living Magazine Finds Hope in State Broadband Mapping

March 1, 2010

MANHATTAN, KS - Residents of rural Kansas often pay an unwanted price for the country lifestyle they love. As the current Kansas Living Magazine article points out, quality high-speed Internet access is still unavailable in many rural parts of the state. But, with the new Connect Kansas initiative, the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Information Network of Kansas (INK) have provided close to 20 percent in matching funds and helped secure approximately $2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund broadband mapping and planning activities in Kansas.

Detailed mapping of the Sunflower State is now in full swing. Connected Nation was commissioned by the Kansas Department of Commerce to create the Connect Kansas project and work with all Kansas broadband providers to create detailed maps of broadband coverage to accurately pinpoint remaining gaps in broadband availability.

The Kansas Farm Bureau is urging all residents, especially those with dial-up service, to find their way to the Connect Kansas website and take the survey questions there. The information gathered is essential to helping bring high-speed broadband service to the areas that need it most.

Read the full article

First Statewide Broadband Map Available in Kansas

March 1, 2010

The first official draft of the statewide map of current Kansas broadband coverage is set to be posted on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Broadband mapping of Kansas is now in full swing and Connect Kansas is making the latest information available to everyone on its website.

This is the first draft of a full, statewide broadband map and includes:
- More than 70% of Kansas providers
- More than 90% of Kansas households
- More than 95% of Kansas households in rural areas

The newly posted map reflects information that will be used to create a complete Kansas broadband map which is expected to be released around March 31, 2010. The current draft includes all the data previously submitted by providers, as well as updated information that was submitted to Connected Nation after the mapping first draft deadline. The latest map now reflects all broadband provider information submitted on or before Wednesday, February 26, 2010.

The accuracy of this map is critical to the future of broadband infrastructure planning in the Sunflower State.

The purpose of the newly posted map is two-fold:

- Data Verification: Broadband providers should use the map to make sure their current service area is accurately reflected. This is very important to avoid future broadband overbuild and unwanted competition.

- NTIA Applications: Applicants submitting for NTIA grants and loans should use the map to assist in crafting their applications. The second-round application window opened February 16, 2010 and closes March 15, 2010.

Kansas has designated Connected Nation, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), to work with the provider community to obtain coverage data and create the map. This initiative is called Connect Kansas. As a third-party organization, Connected Nation is able to protect sensitive provider information through nondisclosure agreements while still gathering the information needed to create an accurate broadband map. This map will also be used to help create a federally mandated national map.

For information about contributing data, please click here.

Internet Speed: Are You Getting What You Pay For?

February 26, 2010

LOS ANGELES - A new LA Times article is shining the spotlight on the speed of high-speed Internet and the results are eye-opening. Reporter David Lazarus tackled the topic of “Up To” speeds and found that we all need to be aware that we’re often not getting what we pay for. Broadband providers often promise “Up To” certain cyber-speeds to attract high-speed Internet customers. The February 26th article points out:

• Actual broadband speeds could be as much as 80% slower than the maximum access speed you are paying for during peak Internet usage periods
• According to the Federal Communication Commission, peak usage times are from 7 to 10 p.m.
• The average U.S. broadband speed is only about a quarter of what South Korea enjoys
• In a comparison of global broadband speeds, the U.S. ranks a sluggish 18th behind nations like Japan, Sweden, Ireland, and even Romania and the Czech Republic

Telecom companies say that an individual customer's broadband speed will depend on a variety of factors, including network congestion and how far the customer may be located from a data hub.

Connected Nation’s nonprofit work is aimed at addressing these issues through broadband mapping and implementing a smart plan for the building of and efficient national broadband infrastructure. Many interactive tools are provided through the Connected Nation website where you can:

• Test your current broadband speed
• Use the new, cutting-edge mapping tool called BroadbandStat to view broadband availability in select Connected Nation partner states
• Request new or improved broadband service in your area

New Interactive Maps Give Ohio and Illinois Powerful Tools

February 24, 2010

BroadbandStat Puts Ohio and Illinois Broadband Maps at User's Fingertips

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Connected Nation is now making its new interactive broadband mapping platform available in its state-based initiatives in Ohio and Illinois. Both the Connect Ohio and Connect Illinois projects launched the new BroadbandStat technology on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

BroadbandStat is designed to provide a multi-functional and comprehensive view of broadband in a state as a roadmap for increased high-speed Internet. Both states held live online demonstrations for more than 200 stakeholders, community leaders, broadband providers, and others outlining the usefulness of the new mapping platform.

Connect Ohio’s Executive Director Tom Fritz explained some of the meaningful ways the average user can use the tool.

“Ohio consumers now have the ability to quickly and easily find participating providers that offer broadband service to their homes,” Fritz said. “The application will also help broadband providers, Ohio municipalities, and economic development organizations pinpoint exactly which areas should be targeted for broadband expansion.”

The broadband-related data can be used for grant writing, broadband investment, economic development, and it gives the public the ability to find information about broadband providers down to the street level. The software allows providers to calculate feasibility plans which could help them decide to expand their business or offer services at a reduced rate to disadvantaged individuals or families, Fritz said.

Morton O’Kelly, chair of the Department of Geography at Ohio State University, complimented the efficiency and use of the tool.

“The mapping tool provides a snapshot of current coverage at a high level of detail,” said O’Kelly. “The assembly of data from major providers is key to a comprehensive portrait of state-wide coverage. As a geographer, I am immediately able to see significant regional contrasts, as well as gain a greater appreciation for the challenges facing providers as they attempt to complete coverage in lower density rural areas.”

Additionally in Ohio, J.C. Wallace, executive director of the Ohio Economic Development Association, noted, “High-speed broadband connectivity is critical to almost every business in Ohio, but especially in manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, retail, and tourism.

“The new tool developed by Connect Ohio should help economic developers market their broadband assets to new and existing businesses, and should also provide our members with vital information to encourage new companies to make investments in broadband services,” Wallace said.

In Illinois, Todd Heinrich, CEO of Genesis Health Technologies, LLC, had this to say: “The broadband mapping tool offered through Connected Nation is one of the better tools we have seen to date, specifically for mapping and drilling in on targeted areas for broadband development and other projects. The drawing capabilities coupled with the measurement capabilities are very useful when, as an example, plotting potential routes of new fiber, while also being able to mark and overlay existing fiber routes with the color feature. It's great for being able to accurately budget either middle-mile or last-mile loop.”

Connected Nation joined forces with ESRI, a market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, to create the revolutionary software.

Along with Ohio and Illinois, Connected Nation will be releasing BroadbandStat in nine more states and the territory of Puerto Rico. BroadbandStat was launched in Tennessee earlier this month.

All Connected Nation partner states and territories will be using BroadbandStat to organize the results of data they are currently collecting on available broadband services. This activity is supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.

New Cutting-Edge Interactive Broadband Mapping Tool Available in Tennessee

February 10, 2010

BroadbandStat Goes Live on Connected Tennessee Website

NASHVILLE, TN – Connected Tennessee launched today a new interactive mapping tool for viewing, analyzing, and validating broadband data available via the Connected Tennessee website.

Called BroadbandStat, the new interactive mapping platform is a multi-functional, user-friendly way for local leaders, policymakers, consumers, and technology providers to devise a plan for the expansion and adoption of broadband. BroadbandStat uses geographic information system (GIS) technology to enable a user to build and evaluate broadband expansion scenarios that incorporate data such as education and population demographics, current broadband availability, and speeds and research about adoption barriers. Results are displayed on a Web-based interactive map. The broadband-related data can be used for grant writing, broadband investment, economic development, and it gives the public the ability to find information about broadband providers down to the street level.

“BroadbandStat is literally going to change the face of broadband expansion in Tennessee,” remarked Michael Ramage, executive director of Connected Tennessee. “Providers and citizens alike will now have a crystal-clear picture of exactly where broadband exists and where it does not, with exhaustive information and intricate detail. We feel that BroadbandStat puts Tennessee at an advantage over other states in the arena of broadband expansion; however, this is just the first step in the mapping process. We invite providers across the state to participate in the process by submitting their data for inclusion and citizens to validate the accuracy of the coverage in their area in order for us to paint the most precise picture of broadband availability possible.”

For Bob Mayfield, managing partner of Electronic Communications Systems, a small broadband provider in west Tennessee, the new tool will be extremely helpful as his company plans further coverage.

“BroadbandStat is a very important tool,” Mayfield said. “For providers to be able to look at the market as we are developing our business plans — to see where broadband exists and where the demand is — this is the best thing that’s come out in a while.”

Daryl Phillips, executive director of the Hickman County Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), agreed.

“Five years ago, we had local business owners that couldn't decide where to locate within the county because they didn't have access to this kind of detailed information,” Phillips said. “Now, business and industry can use this tool for relocation decisions, home buyers can use this while shopping for a home and government and ECD can use it for planning purposes. BroadbandStat gives Tennessee an advantage over other states."

On December 22, 2009, The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded Connected Tennessee $1.8 million in federal funding for broadband mapping and planning in an effort to increase the availability and use of high-speed Internet service in the state. As this data is gathered it will be updated and displayed on the BroadbandStat application.

BroadbandStat was developed by Connected Tennessee’s parent company, Connected Nation, in conjunction with ESRI, a market leader in GIS software. Twelve U.S. states and the territory of Puerto Rico will be using BroadbandStat to organize the results of data they are currently collecting on available broadband services. This activity is supported by State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program funds that are made available through the NTIA and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for improving broadband accessibility across the nation.

About Connected Tennessee: As a public-private partnership, Connected Tennessee partners with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state. The work of Connected Tennessee is made possible by support from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. For more information about what Connected Tennessee is doing to accelerate technology in Tennessee’s communities, visit their website.