1. North Carolina Association of Rural Planning Organizations
Jeff Sural
Director
Broadband Infrastructure Office
The Department of Information Technology provides technology services to state agencies and other government customers across North Carolina. The department operates under the leadership of the State Chief Information Officer (SCIO), as appointed by the Governor.
The Broadband Infrastructure Office was established within the office of the State CIO in 2014 as a statewide resource to enhance broadband access and adoption for all North Carolinians.
October 26, 2018

2. Every North Carolinian should be able to access affordable high-speed internet anywhere, at any time.
Vision
The office is guided by a vision that represents the needs of North Carolinians in the 21st Century.

3. How We Do What We Do Community Policy & Programs Data & Analysis
Rural Grant Program
Our comprehensive strategy to achieve our vision is based on 4 main initiatives:
We provide local governments and communities with technical assistance to enhance broadband infrastructure, we collect and analyze data related to the state of broadband availability and use, and we use community feedback and data to recommend policies and to create an ecosystem that provides all North Carolinians with access to broadband.
And now we have the GREAT rural grant program to fund the building of broadband infrastructure to unserved areas of the state.

4. How We Do What We Do Technical Assistance/Community Playbook
State Broadband Plan/Digital Equity Collaborative
Interactive Map/Speed Reporting Tool
Rural Grant Program
TA Team works on the ground with local governments
SBP sets out recommendations and ideas for innovation and affordability
Good data drives good policy and sound decisions especially when using taxpayer money
Grant program provides incentives by lowering the barriers internet providers face

6. Broadband is an dynamic industry and is subject to changes
It’s important to have a basic understanding of broadband
Need to be on the same page as it relates to broadband related terminology
What is Broadband?

7. Broadband There is not “one” definition
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has common definitions
FCC recommended threshold for high speed broadband is 25 download/3 upload
Multiple technology types & speed thresholds
Broadband
There is not “one” definition
Multiple technology types & speed thresholds
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has common definitions that most entities rely on for consistency
FCC recommended threshold for high speed broadband 25/3 mbs

8. Streaming & Other functions
Sending
0.08 Mbps
Social Media
0.03 Mbps
Skype with Friends
0.30 Mbps
Music
2.00 Mbps
Video on Smart TV
4.00 Mbps
Hi-Def Movie on Smart TV (6-7 GB/hour)
5.30 Mbps
Playing online game
10+ Mbps
Netflix 4k movie
25 Mbps
FCC recommendation per household: , web surfing, basic streaming video plus one high-demand application: streaming HD, video conferencing, OR online gaming
6 to 15 Mbps
iTunes Downloads
24 Mbps
15 Mbps
10 Mbps
8 Mbps
2 Mbps
4-minute song
4 MB
1 second
2 seconds
3 seconds
4 seconds
16 seconds
5-minute video
30 MB
10 seconds
25 seconds
30s 2m

9. Broadband Technology Types
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL/copper)
Cable Modem (Coax)
Fiber to the Home (FTTH)
Fixed Wireless
Mobile Wireless
Satellite
Source:

10. Broadband Availability
93.7%
NC Households with Access
92.3%
US Households with Access
The FCC’s current definition of broadband is that speeds must be 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download/3 megabits upload to be defined as broadband.
According to the Federal Communication Commission’s latest data, roughly 93.7 percent of North Carolina households have access to broadband.
This deployment rate ranks slightly above the U.S. average of 92.3 percent.
However, because of the way the data is collected and analyzed both figures are overstated.

11. Broadband Service Inventory
This is a more detailed map showing coverage by technology type at 25/3.
Unserved areas are the lightest color and the

12. Broadband Availability Challenges
274,000
Households without access
1.66M
Households not subscribing
The FCC’s current definition of broadband is that speeds must be 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download/3 megabits upload to be defined as broadband.
According to the Federal Communication Commission’s latest data, roughly 93.7 percent of North Carolina households have access to broadband.
This deployment rate ranks slightly above the U.S. average of 92.3 percent.
However, because of the way the data is collected and analyzed both figures are overstated.

13. Common Barriers to Broadband Deployment
Capital Expenditures
(CAPX)
Population Density

14. 2016 Broadband Adoption Rates
We look at the challenges the state faces in two ways: Access, which we just discussed, and Adoption.
We measure adoption as the number of households that regularly use the internet and have a home connection. Our adoption rates are low when compared to our access rates.

16. Common Barriers to Broadband Adoption
Cost
Digital Literacy
Relevancy
Access
Common Barriers to Broadband Adoption

17. Broadband Infrastructure Office

18. Regional & Local Planning
Taking the time to understand the current broadband coverage,
providers, policy issues, and assets within your region,
as well as adoption rates,
can help you develop a more comprehensive approach
to attracting the desired middle-mile or last-mile
broadband providers to your area

19. Broadband Planning, First Steps….
Determine Where You Are
Where Is Your Municipality Now with Information Gathering?
Municipal Assets and Fiber – What do you have, what are you considering?
What Are Your Other County or Regional Assets?
Who are Your Potential Partners, especially Broadband Provider Partners?
What Are Your Goals? What Is A Good Starting Point?
Connect govt-facilities, Smart Cities, Public Safety,
Unserved Areas, Homework Gap, Adoption?…

20. As You Develop Plans, Keep in Mind…
No One Solution
combination of solutions, even in one county or municipality
combination of providers, technologies
Leverage Other Projects
smart/connected city applications, public safety, economic development, homework gap
Advocate for what you need…

21. Transportation Planning Initiatives
Partnering with NCDOT
NCDOT 1-95 & 70 – includes installation of fiber/conduit
Consulting on BUILD Grant Application
“Dig Once” Policy Development
One Offs mostly in WNC
Centralina COG ITS Planning Group – NC & SC
Recent Introduction to RPOs

22. Challenges
Future will need wireless ubiquity to handle increased bandwidth and complex applications: AV and UAS
Wireless Future Needs Wires:
5G and small cell
FCC spectrum regulation and licensing
Threat that rural areas left behind - no business case for build out
Need policy direction