Based on all of the high-speed internet and adoption deployment information researched, developed, reviewed, and discussed; the deliberations, findings, and recommendations of the Work Group; and the ensuing high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategy developed; the following is a staged or phased implementation plan designed to meet the goals and objectives of the strategy. The plan is primarily presented sequentially. (However, some steps and activities run concurrently and are so noted below.) Where available funding, lack of completion of prior tasks, activities and the results of the activities under prior tasks dictate that additional phasing should occur, sub-steps are provided to illustrate how a planned task could proceed based on such occurrences.
The timing and the comprehensiveness of the initiative will be determined by the policy direction and funding provided by the Governor and the Legislature.
Stage 1: Development and Passage of Legislation and Associated Funding Requests
In this report, DIS has identified legislation necessary to expand high-speed internet service availability and adoption. In order for this process to move forward, legislation will need to be enacted and funding provided. The start (S) date for the following timeline will be determined by the authorization to proceed and the availability of funds. As indicated previously, DIS will incur a cost for overseeing and coordinating all the stages below equal to approximately $114,500 per year. If each of the activities below is further staged, this cost would fall to approximately $39,500 per year.
Stage 2: Conduct GIS Mapping and Establish Baseline 2.1 Search for and Choose GIS Mapping Entity
If provided the authorization and appropriate funding, DIS should develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining the project goals, as outlined in DIS’ Report to the Governor and Legislature, to create a baseline assessment and multi-layered GIS map of high-speed internet service, both public and private, over an eighteen month period. Development of the RFP, dissemination, receipt, and review of proposals from third party firms, as well as selection of the firm, will end by S+3 months.
2.2 Development of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with Providers
Research of all high-speed internet service providers by DIS should start by S+3 months, and be continued by the third-party mapping entity once chosen. Based on the contact list developed, discussions should begin with the various providers in order to discuss the goals and objectives of the mapping effort. In light of concerns by providers related to the confidentiality of proprietary and
competitively sensitive information provided, NDAs will need to be developed with each specific provider and the third party (once chosen), and should be completed by S+6 months in order for the mapping effort to proceed on schedule. 2.3 HSIS Mapping
Based on the time necessary for the mapping firm search, and completion of NDAs with the providers, mapping efforts should begin by S+4 months. The process of gathering information from the providers, inputting the data into the mapping program, and producing the final maps, should take eighteen months and should conclude by S+22 months, if all necessary funding and information is available. A comprehensive, statewide mapping effort would cost between $300,000 and $550,000. Updating the maps twice annually after initial development would cost between $85,000 and $100,000.
2.3.1 If all necessary funding and information is not available, we recommend
that the actual mapping effort should be phased, based on the most efficient and effective utilization of available funds and information in relation to the following considerations:
a. Mapping the areas with the highest levels of provider
participation, up to the level of available funding
b. Mapping the five counties already reviewed under the UTC
Broadband Disparity Study, where a significant amount of information is already available
c. Mapping targeted areas, where it is anticipated that adoption- spurring and deployment efforts could result in a high return on investment, and help meet the goal of 99+ % availability within those areas by 2012
The initial cost for one of the further staged mapping scenarios above would be approximately $75,000. The twice annual updating cost for this level of mapping would be approximately $15,000.
2.4 DIS Establishes HSIS Availability and Adoption Baselines
DIS will use the information from the mapping effort – a s well as feedback from consumers and the LTPTs, and its own verification studies – to establish a baseline on HSI residential and business availability and adoption. These baselines should be fully developed by S+23 months.
Stage 3: Conduct Local Technology Strategic Planning
3.1 Designation and Implementation of a Local Technology Planning Teams (LTPT) Facilitator
DIS will produce solicitation materials to begin a search for a Facilitator to oversee the development and activities of Local Technology Planning Teams in Washington’s thirty-nine counties (or combinations of counties where existing planning activities are already occurring on a multi-county level). DIS will select the Facilitator by S+3 months.
3.2 Establishment of Local Technology Planning Teams
Once the LTPT Facilitator is in place, DIS and the Facilitator can begin to develop LTPTs in each of the designated local areas. Feedback will be critical to forming teams that can fulfill the role of overseeing broadband adoption-spurring and deployment activities in underserved areas, and within areas not served in the respective local delineation. The state designated LTPT Facilitator works with local leaders to identify high-speed internet stakeholders that are in accordance with the list indicated in E2SSB 6438 and Public Law 110-385 to create the LTPT. Once identified, the state Facilitator provides decision-making training to the group, assists with assembling materials needed to begin the strategic technology planning process, and works to create assessment benchmarks for the LTPTs’ work in coordination with state level benchmarks. These teams should be in development by S+3 months. The cost for comprehensive, statewide LTPT activities under Stages 3.2 and 3.3 is estimated to be approximately $700,000.
3.2.1 If funding is not available to establish LTPT teams in all local areas, then
available funding should be utilized to create teams that are consistent with the manner in which the map effort is staged (i.e., by area where the most information has been provided; by UTC Study area or subset thereof; by targeted area; etc.). The initial cost for a phased implementation of LTPTs would be approximately $152,750.
3.3 LTPTs Develop and Implement Technology Plans
The LTPTs will begin work on technology plans as the teams are developed by S+4 months. The LTPT utilizes baseline high-speed internet asset inventory (availability, capacity, costs), and local demand aggregation information (adoption rate, adoption barriers), to create a local plan to enhance high-speed internet opportunities. The local plan embraces technology as an asset to strengthen and empower local communities. The plan also prepares local communities to utilize and capitalize on high-speed internet infrastructure, by offering local applications that empower local entrepreneurs, provide educational opportunities, create more robust health care provision, and facilitate high-speed internet use at the residential level.
During planning, the LTPT reviews the data and identifies weaknesses. Working with the asset inventory and members on the team representing the local high- speed internet service providers, the LTPT identifies opportunities to provision high-speed internet, and create demand in the community.
This process should be technology neutral, and embrace a variety of means for problem-solving. At the same time, the LTPT should work to create a strongly supported strategic/business plan for the provision of high-speed internet in its community, and to focus on opportunities for public/private partnerships.
The strategic plan developed should be: future driven with measurable benchmarks; stakeholder driven, in that problems with high-speed internet in the community are identified from the bottom up; a collaborative/inclusive process; and outcome-oriented, in that the plan becomes a tool for the local community to overcome high-speed internet hurdles.
The high-speed internet deployment and adoption implementation plan developed by the LTPT becomes the basis for state and federal funding opportunities.
All LTPT plans should include: a committed and representative local planning team; a high-speed internet asset inventory and baseline data on high-speed internet demand in the community; plans for community education and training; technology-neutral based high-speed internet infrastructure options and discussion; funding strategies that include a strong business case for local high- speed internet investment; and a plan to market the improvements to the high- speed internet infrastructure, once realized. The plan should also include benchmark intervals of every six months for measuring its success.
Once the strategic technology plan is developed, the team meets monthly to monitor deployment. Once deployment goals are reached, the LTPT works in the second phase to promote the new high-speed internet infrastructure, and to enhance and spur local demand.
In the final phase, the LTPT meets every six months to ensure the realization of the initial goals of the strategic plan, and participation in state evaluation of the process.
The strategic plans will be completed and issued by S+10 months.
Stage 4: Implement Coordinated Adoption Spurring and Deployment Programs 4.1 DIS Coordinates Adoption Spurring and Deployment
Based on all the information developed under the previous three stages, DIS will be in a position to coordinate adoption-spurring programs designed in
conjunction with the LTPTs, the Facilitator, and other interested parties that will result in increased demand. Concurrent with this, DIS will work with the service providers to target deployment efforts to meet existing and increased demand. The initial funding needed to support full-scale HSI resource development programs is estimated to be $2,500,000.
4.1.1 Based on available funding for such programs developed both under
Stage 1 and Stage 4.2 below, DIS may need to further stage adoption- spurring and deployment efforts. (This staging will be consistent with the staging previously discussed for mapping and planning efforts under Stages 2 and 3. Funding for such a staged effort is estimated at an initial cost of $250,000.)
4.2 Seeking Funding and Investment as Determined
Based on identified needs and potentially available funding (identified by DIS and the LTPTs), DIS in coordination with the LTPTs and service providers can seek additional budget appropriations, grants, provider investments, and other funding and development requests as needed. This process should begin by S+11 months.
Stage 5: Service Provider Deployment and User Adoption Progress
5.1 Coordinate and Benchmark HSIS Deployment and Adoption Initiatives
Every six months, the LTPTs will develop adoption-spurring and deployment benchmarks to evaluate at the end of the six month period. At this time, the LTPTs will develop new goals to be evaluated at the next six month interval. These benchmarks, successes, and shortcomings, will be presented to the Facilitator overseeing the LTPTs, who in turn will coordinate necessary follow-on actions with DIS and service providers. Providers will also report their progress on deployment in order to meet existing and increased demand. DIS, with coordination and oversight of the whole HSIS deployment and adoption strategy, will work with providers to increase availability based on demand. These benchmarks and outcomes will be reported on an annual basis.