Broadband Advocacy
News Updates
Central Michigan University's Rural Health Equity Institute is asking residents of Benzie and Manistee County to participate in a survey measuring internet speeds and how they relate to access to tele-medicine.
The Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program aims to measure broadband performance and availability in Michigan.
If you would like to participate, please email TBPP@cmich.edu and request to be a part of the program.
WWJ 950 News Radio Detroit recently did an excellent broadcast on the ROBIN and BEAD program grants for Michigan. Listen to our very own Tim Maylone, Cherry Capital Communications give an update on progress in the Greater Grand Traverse Region, including Benzie County.
Program Updates
Do you work for or represent a community digital inclusion program in Michigan? If so, please let us know, and we will add your program to the statewide digital inclusion services map. MIHI wants to foster greater cooperation and information among organizations that engage in digital inclusion activities across Michigan, such as digital skills training, public computer access, public Wi-Fi, Affordable Connectivity Program enrollment assistance, etc. MIHI wants to raise awareness of these services, share ideas and encourage collaboration for advancing digital inclusion in Michigan.
BENZIE
BROADBAND
TASK FORCE
The Benzie Broadband Task Force was assembled by recommendation of the Benzie County Economic Development Committee to assist the Benzie County Broadband Consortium in drafting a plan for Digital Equity. A Digital Equity plan is necessary for the County to receive funding from the Federal National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) through the Broadband, Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD).
The Task Force is comprised of members of the Broadband Consortium, Merit Networks, Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN), Grow Benzie, and many community leaders and stakeholders.
The Task Force also performed metric studies with the assistance of Merit Networks and the CBAN to submit formal challenges to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband mapping, especially as it relates to BEAD funding.
It is the purpose of this task force to research, propose, and plan solutions to connect every mile of Benzie County with quality and affordable internet service.
Grants & Funding Updates
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Broadband Equity Access & Deployment Program (BEAD) is a Federal Grant Program that is managed in Michigan by the Department of LEO - MIHI Office to focus on on un-served & under-served areas. BEAD is funded by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration in compliance with the Digital Equity Act.
Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks Grant (ROBIN) is a State of Michigan - Department of LEO - MIHI Office program that targets middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, focusing on unserved areas. ROBIN is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund.
*be sure to set the filter on the right to "ROBIN Batch 1 Final Awards" and zoom in to see build-out scheduled for unserved areas.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is an FCC initiative designed to inject billions of dollars into the construction and operation of rural broadband networks.
*be sure to set the filter on the left to "RDOF Auction 904 Winning Bids" and zoom in to see build-out scheduled for unserved areas.
The Regional Broadband Navigator Grant Program will use CDBG CARES Act funds to provide up to 10 grants of up to $60,000 each to eligible applicants to install broadband support staff in 10 regions across the state.
The Regional Broadband Navigator Grant Program seeks to provide an aggregate of up to $600,000 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to one or more qualified grant administrators to launch regional broadband navigators to work with local and regional stakeholders to assist in coordination, development, and execution of broadband planning in response to the ongoing need for broadband access adoption and use.
Utilization of these grant funds to address the capacity to execute broadband coordination within a region is targeted to leverage eligible federal, state, and philanthropic broadband funding to reasonably address the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Service Provider Updates
Legislative Updates
The New Lingo
ACCESSIBLILTYÂ Â Â *Â Â Â AFFORDABILITYÂ Â Â *Â Â Â DEVICE PARITYÂ Â Â *Â Â Â DIGITAL LITERACY
Digital Inclusion
Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Â This includes 5 elements: 1) affordable, robust broadband internet service; 2) internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; 3) access to digital literacy training; 4) quality technical support; and 5) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration. Digital Inclusion must evolve as technology advances. Digital Inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use technology.
Digital Equity
Digital Equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy. Â Digital Equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.
Digital Literacy
NDIA recommends the American Library Association’s definition of Digital Literacy via their Digital Literacy Taskforce: Digital Literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.
Broadband Adoption
Broadband adoption has traditionally been defined as residential subscribership to high-speed Internet access. But for those in the field working to increase the digital capacity of communities, broadband adoption is daily access to the Internet:
- At speeds, quality and capacity necessary to accomplish common tasks
- With the digital skills necessary to participate online
- On a personal device and secure convenient network
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a forerunner in the latest medical technology. BCBSM recognizes that timely & quality care is often a hurdle in rural communities. Ensuring Rural residents have fast and accessible internet is vital to providing online care. BCBSM supports communities and providers that make internet accessible to those who need it most.
The Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce works in conjunction with the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance's Connect Rural program, to engage infrastructural plans in Northern Michigan, with regards to internet connectivity.
Information is the great equalizer. Access to and use of the internet has become an integral component of everyday life in the 21st century. Digital information has reshaped how individuals participate in nearly every dimension of society. It is imperative for communities to leverage broadband network access to eliminate the homework gap and for the benefit of education, socioeconomic equality, telemedicine, Smart Agriculture, public safety and economic development to maintain and grow quality of life for their citizens.
(credit: Michigan Broadband Summit)