MN Rural Broadband Outpacing US Rural Deployment
While the deployment of broadband throughout rural Minnesota is still a concern, data recently released by both the Pew Internet & American Life Project and the Minnesota-based Center for Rural Policy and Development indicate that broadband adoption rates in rural Minnesota significantly outpace the rate for rural America. The reports cited can be found at www.pewinterent.org and www.ruralmn.org

Live at the Speed of Light
The Get Broadband Team is please to announce the availability of Live at the Speed of Light, the newly updated broadband case statement. This publication is intended to be helpful to Get Broadband communities in their general outreach and education efforts; participating communities should soon receive a hard copy of material as well.
 
Governor Pawlenty Backs Universal Broadband Access

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty endorsed the vision and principles for universal deployment and use of broadband proposed by the Broadband Initiative Strategy Board organized by the Blandin Foundation. He also cited the value of community broadband education programs like Blandin Foundation’s Get Broadband program. Visit the Governor’s web site for more information.

Get Broadband Community of Interest Networks
Get Broadband is starting Community of Interest Networks designed to connect peers in health care, economic development, education and e-commerce to meet via technology (conference calls, videoconferences, web collaboration) to share information and become better informed on emerging technologies and best technology practices. Learn more from the Get Broadband web site.

Lack of Broadband Access Weakens U.S. Economy
The United States is facing a "broadband gap" as countries in Asia and Europe roll out Internet connections cheaper and faster than anything available here. According to the Brookings Institution, the potential cost of falling behind international broadband standards is $1 trillion in economic productivity over the next decade, as well as more than 1.2 million jobs that could be created by better broadband. Read more in the StarTribune Online.

Internet Nondiscrimination Act of 2006
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced the Internet Nondiscrimination Act of 2006 – legislation which will ensure “net neutrality,” or equal delivery of content on the Internet, for consumers and business interests. The legislation proposes that network operators (such as Internet service providers) be prohibited from charging companies for faster delivery of their content to consumers over the Internet or favor certain content over others. Learn more from Wikipedia.

Robert Bell Presentation Online
Get Broadband program participants gathered at five sites across the state on February 21st  for a videoconference with Robert Bell, executive director of the New York City-based Intelligent Community Forum.  Mr. Bell spoke about organizing strategies for increasing community technology use.  More information, including an archive of the videoconference, is available online. (Thanks to the METNET network of the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges & Universities for providing videoconferencing services free-of-charge and for archiving the video.)

March 16 Freedom of Information Day
With access to technology comes access to information, so it makes sense to celebrate Freedom of Information Day on March 16. Start by learning more about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of 1966 and Electronic FOIA amendment of 1996. Visit the FCC FOIA web site for details.

Innovative Technology Uses for Nonprofits

Net2, created by TechSoup, features projects around the world that succeed at the intersection of pervasive access, new tools, and new audiences. Visit the site to learn more or suggest your own story.

Cambridge-Isanti - Cambridge-Isanti sponsored or co-sponsored local delivery of a number classes including:  “Shop Minnesota Seminar” and “What’s the Big Deal About Broadband” offered by Jay Mankie, co-owner of Genesis Wireless.  More classes are being planned, such as “E-Bay Selling Basics.” (Read more)

Cohasset - Cohasset has completed the final report for the first year.  Their application has been submitted for second year funding.  Their plan for the future is to meet with the businesses face to face and work more with the local elementary school. (Learn more)

Edge of Wilderness - Edge of the Wilderness recently completed the first of a planned series of classes on Internet and email applications. The Get Broadband Committee is working on upgrading information technology at the Marcell Family Center to provide better Internet access to patrons. (Learn more)

Hibbing - Hibbing has been assessing the possibility of creating public Internet access points for use by people without computers or Internet access at home. The committee is working with local businesses and nonprofits to solicit donations of used computer equipment, for use in the public sites.  (Learn more)

International Falls - The International Falls Steering Committee is actively investigating options for creating wireless Internet hot spots around town – including the International Falls Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Building. One goal is to provide Internet access for potential tourists as they wait in line to cross the Canadian border. (Learn more)

March 14-15 (Minneapolis) Minnesota Broadband Summit - Learn about the technology, policy and politics of broadband and fiber to the home from vendors and community leaders. Get Broadband project staff Bernadine Joselyn, Gary Fields, Jane Leonard and Bill Coleman will be among the conference presenters. 

March 15 (St. Paul) Biotechnology: Bio Boom Continues – Listen to experts from government, industry and academia talk about where biotech is going and how it affects the Minnesota economy.

April 25-26 (Washington, DC) Digital City Expo - Hear representatives from Google, Motorola,
The Yankee Group, and Dynamic City discuss the future of Municipal Broadband.

Most of our communities have targeted businesses in their Blandin Get Broadband initiatives.  In many cases, we hope to help businesses develop an initial web page or upgrade to a more interactive and dynamic site.  As hard as this task can be, I think that we need to set the bar even higher.  Getting businesses to where they should have been last year is good; getting them to where they need to be tomorrow should be the real goal!

Last week, I was in Windom facilitating a business focus group.  As part of my introduction, I pulled out my MP3 player (a non-ipod ipod) and asked how many people in the room owned one.  Only one of mostly-over-40 crowd of twenty people raised their hands.  I told them that the opposite would true for a similar crowd of under-30’s and that businesses better begin to think about the impact of this technology on their business.  I joked about reaching a farmer customer with your message or service in their tractor with a built-in MP3 player.

When I returned home that afternoon, the headline on my MSP Business Journal caught my eye, “Big G podcasts push cookbooks.”  The Big G is, of course, General Mills.  If Betty Crocker has an ipod, who’s next?  I encourage you to get your group together and do a little brainstorming about how podcasts might be used in your community…for business, tourism, religion, education.  Then move forward to create and host these podcasts on your community web site.

Winona Health Online (WHO) – Even if you don’t live in Winona, this health care site is worth a visit. Using the Cerner IQHealth system, WHO allows you to actively manage your own health and the health of your loved ones. A user enters a profile based on a series of health questions and the tool customizes the information shown to cater to that profile. It’s great for patients who might be more forthcoming with a computer than a doctor. It is a tool that supplements, not replaces, health care visits.