NC Broadband. NC Broadband, a Division of the NC Department of Commerce

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1 NC Broadband NC Broadband, a Division of the NC Department of Commerce Created to carry out the work of the State Broadband Data & Development Grant (SBDD) awarded to North Carolina by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA ) NC Broadband serves as the State Broadband Initiative for North Carolina. Under this federal grant, NC Broadband isresponsible for implementing the following programs: Data Collection & Mapping of Broadband Availability Technical Assistance to Communities State Capacity Building Implementation of the LITE UP Pilot Program Update e of the NC Master Address File

2 NC LITE UP NC Linking Internet to Economically Underprivileged People Research project looking at the barriers to broadband adoption access to computer/device up front and monthly service costs access to training access to digital literacy support relevancy gap LITE UP will develop, deploy and test a highly structured research program that is designed to pinpoint the exact nature and interplay of factors that create barriers to broadband adoption. Tracking: Behaviors in choices and enrollment Surveys throughout program

3 NC LITE UP 3 Goals: Research project studying barriers to broadband adoption, factors that influence uptake and use, to better inform efforts at the state/national levels for targeted programs in broadband adoption Program provides computers and high speed Internet service to participants who may otherwise not be able to afford it Serves as a pilot for future Lifeline broadband adoption programs or other future state or local level programs Scale: 2 counties, 90 households per county Funding: North Carolina s State Broadband Data & Development (SBDD) Grant awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

4 NC LITE UP Partners Key Partners and Roles: NTIA Department of Social Services Funder Invitations to Potential Participants Two Broadband Service Providers Internet Service to Participants Community Colleges Digital Literacy Training Digital Literacy Help Desk Vendor East Carolina University DLT phone and support Research Design (with NC Broadband) & Evaluation

5 NC LITE UP First Steps Initial Process: Needed Two Counties high level of broadband availability high level of residents eligible for foodstamps one urban, one rural Needed Two Interested Broadband Service Providers specialized program, manual billing Needed DSS Participation

6 NC LITE UP Eligibility Eligibility: To be considered for participation in the NC LITE UP program, a person must: Reside in one of the two targeted counties Be determined by DSS to be eligible for Food and Nutrition Services (food stamps) p) (and receive letter of invitation from DSS) Must not currently have wired or fixed wireless Internet service or access at his/her residence Be in a location that is able to receive Internet service from the participating LITE UP service provider in that county

7 NC LITE UP Research Design SIX RESEARCH CELLS 180 participants: 90 per county, 2 counties Timeline September 2012 August 2013 Totals: Broadband Discount Training 100% of cost 30 households No Training 30 households 50% of cost households households 0% of cost 30 households 30 households Track enrollment and drop out behaviors for differing cells, and survey results

8 NC LITE UP Benefits Benefits to Participants: All selected participants in the programreceive: receive: a free computer (with MS Office Home), monitor and printer access to a specialized Digital Literacy Help Desk for computer/internet support half of the participants are offered six hours of digital literacy training For those choosing to enroll in high speed Internet program: free installation of high speed Internet service (no deposit, no modem costs) Relevant Internet service discount (random assignment of 0%, 50%, 100% subsidy) Enrollees have to attend Informational Meeting, sign information i releases and Enrollment Agreement

9 NC LITE UP WRAP UP Status and Timeline: Currently finalizing agreements Hope to begin roll out in September 2012 Subsidy piece ofprogram runs for one year, with additional survey 6 months after program ends Lessons Learned: Many operational/logistical lessons learned to date around complexities of program set up, partners, items to consider Next year at this time will have much of the study results compiled We welcome questions and requests for more information

10 Additional Thoughts InNorthCarolina Carolina, NCBroadbandis responsible for: Broadband Availability Data Collection and Mapping Research and State Capacity Building (state partners) TechnicalAssistance (workwithcounties with onlocal level level broadband planning and adoption efforts) State Broadband Initiatives/Entities (of some kind) are essential in moving states forward in terms of broadband development and economic competitiveness. Serve as a link between national and local efforts.