Stuart Freiman is the R.I. Economic Development Corporation’s business-development manager for information technology and digital media.
PBN: The state recently received about $1 million in stimulus dollars for broadband mapping. Could you explain what exactly that money is for?
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FREIMAN: The grant is part of a federal stimulus program called the Broadband Data and Development Program, which is being spearheaded by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In layman’s terms, broadband is really about high-speed Internet, and could be wired or wireless. The goal of BDDP is to develop a database and map supported by the NTIA and accessible to the general public of all of the broadband services available in the United States and its territories. All 50 states and six territories are contributing data to this effort. Our grant money will be used to develop and manage the Rhode Island piece of the map over a two-year period – the results of which, again, will be publicly available.
PBN: You’ve talked about the importance of getting Rhode Islanders to take the EDC’s new broadband speed test. Why is that important, and how can they do it?
FREIMAN: The speed test, which is a very easy and an important way for Rhode Islanders to get involved in this effort, is one of the methods that we are using to verify the data being gathered for the map. People can go to our new website broadband.ri.gov and click on the “Test Your Internet Speed Now” button. The more speed test information we get, the higher the confidence we can have in the mapping data.
PBN: Once you have this information, what are you going to do with it? Will you say, “Hey, Verizon, the Internet is too slow in Pawtucket”? Or “Say, Cox, why are connections so quick in that corner of Warwick”?
FREIMAN: Broadband providers in the state have a key role in this effort, as they are contributing the data regarding the service coverage and advertised speeds they provide. To date, we have identified and are receiving data from 18 different vendors who provide broadband services in the state, although Cox and Verizon are the largest. The speed test information we collect with be cross-checked with this data.
Across the U.S., the data will be used to determine Internet coverage and identify areas that are un-served or underserved. In Rhode Island, we are fortunate to have a strong broadband infrastructure relative to other parts of the country. We will use the data to develop and provide a baseline assessment of broadband deployment for the state and create a geographic inventory map of broadband service.
PBN: In addition to the mapping money, the state got about $500,000 for “broadband planning” activities. What would those be?
FREIMAN: The grant has created an opportunity to develop a planning process to assess current usage and knowledge of broadband in our state and figure out where we need to get to with regards to broadband across all aspects of our lives, including health care, education and homeland security. Broadband planning activities for the state will include:
• Identifying and tracking the areas with low levels of deployment and the rate at which residential and business users adopt broadband service.
• Identifying barriers to the adoption of broadband service and information technology services in underserved areas.
• Collaborating with broadband service providers and information technology companies to encourage deployment and use.
• Facilitating information exchange regarding use and demand for broadband services between public and private sector users.
PBN: What other benefits do you think Rhode Island will get from the EDC’s broadband stimulus initiatives?
FREIMAN: Today, our lives are dependent on the Internet and access to broadband, and the Obama administration has identified it as a key factor in economic development to stimulate the creation and sustainability of higher paying jobs in a 21st-Century economy. Using a sports analogy, we are still in the rookie season with regards to the changes that broadband access and the Internet are and will bring to our lives including job creation, education, health care, government and public safety. The recent National Broadband Plan announced by the FCC addresses the importance of broadband across all of these dimensions – and our involvement in this program will allow us to both participate in the national dialogue and explore these issues on a local basis here in the state. •
