ATTACHMENT 2 NORTHWEST MISSOURI REGION BUSINESS BROADBAND SURVEY RESULTS

Transcription

1 ATTACHMENT 2 NORTHWEST MISSOURI REGION BUSINESS BROADBAND SURVEY RESULTS

2 BUSINESS STUDY BACKGROUND Online survey available from: March 2011 to August local businesses responded (as of 08/3) 20% were satellite offices 17% had satellite locations 32 questions about broadband or high-speed Internet services in the Northwest region BUSINESS STUDY RESPONSES BY COUNTY By County: Atchison 13% Gentry 40% Holt 7% Nodaway 33% Worth 7%

3 EMPLOYEE BUSINESS SIZE % % % % 501 more 0% BUSINESS CATEGORIES National Business Classification Utilities Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Information Health Care and Social Assistance Finance and Insurance Construction Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 7% 7% 7% 14% 14% 14% 36%

4 CURRENT INTERNET PROVIDER Business Broadband Providers (N=11) Windstream CenturyLink Morenet MBNA Other Oregon Farmers Mutual Telephone Socket Midwest Data, Rockport, MO Mid States Services. LLC 27% All 15 respondents indicate they have internet service at there place of business TYPES OF INTERNET CONNECTIONS Type of Internet Connection T-1 Frame Relay/Fractional T- Mobile Wireless (Cellular Cable Modem Fixed Wireless DSL Fiber to the Premises Satellite Broadband Dial-up Line - 56 Kbps or 17% 5

5 SPEED OF CONNECTIONS 10 out of 12 of those responding reported not knowing their speed The 2 that responded, reported the following speeds by connection type: DSL 12 Mbps Cable Modem 5 Mbps BROADBAND SERVICE RATINGS Services Cost of Internet/ network Service Speed of the on-line connection Billing practices of your provider Reliable access to the Internet Training and technical support Customer Service Representative s knowledge when you call for service Installation technician s ability and courteousness Very Satisfied Rating of Broadband Services Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Don t Know/Not Applicable Response Count 54% 23% 0% 15% 13 15% 46% 31% 0% 13 15% 6 0% 0% 15% 13 23% 46% 23% 0% 13 15% 54% 15% 0% 15% 13 23% 46% 15% 0% 15% 13 23% 62% 0% 0% 15% 13

6 SUPPORTED INTERNET APPLICATIONS Internet Access Supported Applications Videoconferencing File sharing Internet telephone E-business Website applications Business to business functions On-line education Banking Monitoring functions (energy, Research On-line appointments On-line customer support 31% 62% % 15% 46% 31% 62% 92% 100% IMPORTANCE OF BROADBAND AMONG BUSINESSES How important is a broadband (high-speed Internet access) connection to the day to day operations of your business? Very Important 77% Important 15% Somewhat Important Not at all Important 0%

7 WHY IMPORTANT? 95% of business relies on Internet Our technology continues to improve and increase and we need a fast, reliable connection to conduct business To communicate with our clients To access the internet to retrieve information and events Satellite office functionality depends on reliable connection to home office and other online sites Most of our business applications are web based - we come to a standstill when we lose connection WOULD IT BE BENEFICIAL TO YOUR BUSINESS IF BROADBAND WERE ENHANCED? 100% indicated YES, Why? Better access for neighbors and friends The ability to keep up with increased technology worldwide Speed and reliability Better competition More business Better service

8 THOUGHTS ON HOW TO GO ABOUT ENHANCING BROADBAND IN YOUR REGION? Support regional efforts Competition would reduce price Cost prohibitive to many individuals COMMERCIAL BROADBAND ENVIRONMENT Availability of Multiple, Competing Broadband Options There is not a broadband option available that is suitable for my business. Not Competitive at All, only one provider option 50% Somewhat Competitive, two providers 42% Competitive, several options 0% 0% 20% 40% 60%

9 COST OF SERVICE Cost of Broadband Less than $50 15% More than $50 and less than $100 31% Between $100 and $200 23% Between $200 and $300 More than $300 per month 0% Don t know how much we pay. 23% ONLINE BUSINESS SURVEY 4 Businesses had other comments about broadband in the region. Including: A company invested heavily to bring fiber to our rural properties in certain geographic areas. After reviewing their literature, it was not economically beneficial to us to switch carriers so we stayed with our current provider. increased reliable cell service would enhance both phone and internet. Competitive broadband would make it more affordable. I am paying premium prices, but I need it. I cannot imagine how businesses that cannot afford the high price survive.

10 ONLINE BUSINESS SURVEY Additional comments: So very important in this rural area to have this available to people who most often have no computer or internet service in their homes. We provide wireless and satellite internet services to our rural customers and there are extremely limited options for those outside our towns.