Beginner’s Guide to Rural Broadband

Roadmap

This Roadmap a resource for local development districts (LDDs) in Appalachia to help promote broadband development for underserved and unserved areas of their community. The Roadmap examines each major phase of a local broadband initiative by issue-area, expounding on decision points, common challenges, and best practices.

The process of improving broadband in a region can be divided into six clear phases that are generally executed in this order, although multiple phases may occur simultaneously

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What are the foundational components of a local broadband initiative?

  • Assembling a broadband committee with key stakeholders.
  • Selecting a capable project leader.
  • Setting measurable goals that all involved parties can agree to.
  • Identifying federal, state, and non-profit assistance.

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How can project teams determine the current state of regional broadband development and identify opportunities to expand access to underserved communities?

  • Measuring current levels of service availability.
  • Identifying existing development assets
  • Determining consumer demand for internet.
  • Considering potential legislative and regulatory roadblocks at the state and local levels.

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What types of strategies can local leaders implement to facilitate consumer access to internet services and help residents develop digital literacy and skills?

  • Identifying programs to increase the affordability and facilitate access to the internet and internet enabled devices.
  • Building strategies to raise community awareness regarding the expected ‘return on investment’ of internet service.
  • Providing residents with digital literacy and skills training focused on the benefits of internet.

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What types of state and local legislation and regulations impede community-led development of broadband infrastructure?

  • Understanding infrastructure such as pole construction and attachments, cable excavation and conduit installation
  • Identifying restrictions on an organization’s ability to provide service.
  • Streamlining burdensome local regulations that increase broadband deployment cost and disincentivize private sector investment.

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What are the key factors to consider when determining the optimal organizational model to finance, deploy, and maintain broadband infrastructure.

  • Developing an organizational model that considers the unique mix of project goals, community assets, partners, and local/state regulations.
  • Forming partnerships with private internet service providers.

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How can I locate and apply for state and federal funding that supports broadband development, affordability, and access?

  • Applying for programs that rely on FCC Form 477 data.
  • Identifying programs independent of FCC data.
  • Layering multiple funding streams for development purposes.
  • Increasing the affordability of internet service.