Stimulating Broadband Adoption in Delaware: A Planning Tool
Date
2012-02-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In
mid-‐December
2009,
the
state
of
Delaware
was
awarded
funds
to
research
and
publish
broadband
options
for
its
citizens.
Governor
Jack
Markell
designated
the
Department
of
Technology
and
Information
(DTI)
as
the
agency
to
receive,
apply,
and
implement
the
funds,
according
to
the
guidelines
and
mandates
of
the
National
Telecommunications
and
Information
Administration
(NTIA).
In
2010
the
broadband-‐mapping
portion
of
this
program
was
initiated
by
DTI,
consisting
of
data
collection,
the
development
of
a
statewide
broadband-‐availability
map,
transmission
of
those
data
to
NTIA
for
the
development
of
its
national
broadband
map,
and
the
long-‐ term
maintenance
of
these
data
by
the
state.
The
University
of
Delaware’s
Institute
for
Public
Administration
(IPA)
is
assisting
DTI
with
project-‐data
collection,
public
outreach,
and
public
policy
development. The
Broadband
Planning
Tool,
which
the
current
document
represents,
includes
the
following
components.
Chapter
1.
Getting
the
Most
Out
of
Broadband
frames
the
issues
related
to
broadband
in
Delaware
by
exploring
the
benefits
of
broadband,
comparing
available
technologies,
and
examining
the
challenges
to
improving
connection.
Chapter
2.
Geospatial
Analysis
of
the
Factors
Affecting
the
Adoption
of
Broadband
in
Delaware
describes
and
quantifies
the
factors
that
contribute
to
broadband
connectivity
or
digital
isolation.
Appendix
1
provides
maps
of
the
latest
data
available
to
visualize
community
“hotspots”
and
“coolspots”
of
connectivity
across
Delaware.
Appendix
2
outlines
how
to
use
the
Broadband
Mapping
Tool.
The
tool
enables
planners
and
local
government
officials
to
evaluate
their
own
broadband
challenges
and
opportunities.
It
includes
three
Delaware
broadband
case
studies
from
across
the
state
to
demonstrate
how
to
improve
connectivity.
Appendix
3
lists
federal
grant
and
loan
programs
available
to
communities
and
agencies
across
the
state.
Each
entry
in
the
resource
list
includes
a
description
of
the
purpose
of
funding,
and
qualifications
for
each
program,
along
with
contact
information.
Description
published in coordination with and funded through the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
Keywords
broadband, Delaware, economic development, broadband adoption, connectedness, demographics, level of service