1. Presentation to the Broadband Deployment Council Paul E. Miller, MPA, Policy Analyst West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy August 3, 2011 pmiller@wvpolicy.org Education, Outreach and Adoption Requirements of Broadband Deployment Council Statute Rev. James L. Patterson, President Partnership of African American Churches patterson@paac2.org

2. §31-15C-8. Stimulation of demand through public outreach and education In order to implement and carry out the intent of this article, the council may take such actions as it deems necessary or advisable in order to stimulate demand through public outreach and education in unserved areas. The council shall consider the views, if offered, of affected members of the public, including private industry. HB 4637 Broadband Deployment Council Created (2008)

3. SummaryPercent Relevance: not interested, waste of time, too busy, don’t need or want 48% Price: too expensive, don’t have a computer22% Usability: difficulty/frustrating, too old, don’t know how, physically unable, worried about virus/spam/spyware 18% Availability/Access6% Pew Research Center & American Lifestyles Project April 29, 2010, Tracking Survey N = 2,252 adults 18 and older

4. 61% Non-Internet Users Need Help The Pew Research Center indicates that 61 percent of non-internet users would need someone to help them gain access to the internet. In order to improve the take-up rates of broadband usage there clearly needs to be a digital literacy campaign to help struggling users get online.

5. SummaryPercent Do you currently subscribe to Internet? NO44% What is the main reason for not subscribing? I don’t need it Costs are too high 76% 23% What is your race? African-American73% Do you own a computer? NO40% Partnership for African American Churches (PAAC) July 11-29, 2011 N = 337 adults 18 and older

6. SummaryPercent What is your primary internet use? Entertainment Social Networks Job Searches Email and General Internet Searching Long Distance Learning Small Business On-line Shopping, Banking 80% 49% 15% 54% 6% 7% 18% Partnership for African American Churches (PAAC) July 11-29, 2011 N = 337 adults 18 and older

7. Conclusion The Broadband Deployment Council must include the demand side in order to improve the state’s lagging broadband subscription rates. The new emergency rules must consider the funding of education, outreach and adoption efforts as part of its larger commitment to broadband deployment.