Existing Mapping Assets Useful for FirstNet Planning Kenny Miller, DoIT Dr. Michael Scott, Salisbury U.
verview Broadband Mapping Grant (NTIA) BTP funded assets mapped Statewide data initiatives ther pertinent data
Maryland s State Broadband Initiative SBI was created by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration in 2009 To map all consumer broadband availability in previouslyunavailable detail across the nation Wireline & wireless Direct from broadband service providers to states Extensive state-based verification and testing Maryland Broadband Mapping Initiative, 2009-2014 Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. of Salisbury, Maryland was the state s designee Partnered with Salisbury Univ & Towson Univ 45 facilities-based BSPs participating
Utility to FirstNet in Maryland Tremendous amount of data collected over the life of the project, some of which is useful as we plan for FirstNet Wireless availability areas as defined by providers Field testing of those wireless coverages Community anchor institutions public safety and health Public fiber optic assets Commercial fiber optic availability
Wireless Provider Coverage Areas Received from wireless (cellular) broadband service providers semi-annually AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, Cellular ne and several smaller providers Coverage areas for 3G, 4G LTE service as well as frequency ranges Indicative of commercial tower locations, or lack thereof
Wireless Testing - 2013 Unfortunately, as everyone who uses a cell phone knows, provider maps of coverage areas are, at best, aspirational To determine the validity of the coverage areas, we conducted field checks via a systematic sample Both presence of signal and speed was recorded Some important key biases nly visited once 3 samples in a row Average the values Retail phones/data plans Consumer-grade testing app Had to be able to drive there
Community Anchor Institutions As part of the NTIA s strategic broadband initiative Grantees collected connectivity information for seven categories of community anchor institutions Schools (K-12), Colleges/Universities, Libraries, Public Safety, Medical/Healthcare, Govt and Non-Govt Community Support In MD, that yielded 15,638 CAI s Broadband connectivity info for 23.8% FirstNet will likely be most interested in 1,718 public safety locations 7,824 medical/healthcare locations
Community Anchor Institutions As part of the NTIA s strategic broadband initiative Grantees collected connectivity information for seven categories of community anchor institutions Schools (K-12), Colleges/Universities, Libraries, Public Safety, Medical/Healthcare, Govt and Non-Govt Community Support In MD, that yielded 15,638 CAI s Broadband connectivity info for 23.8% FirstNet will likely be most interested in 1,718 public safety locations 7,824 medical/healthcare locations
Public Fiber ptic Assets While not a formal part of the Maryland Broadband Mapping Initiative, we were asked to help map current public fiber optic assets Since then, the State of Maryland has completed an expansive fiber optic build-out program, as a result of their BTP award While much has been done, much remains to do. Understanding of location and details will be critical to FirstNet planning
Commercial FTTH Availability Many first responder installations will be connected via public fiber optic assets Some, however, will need to connect through commercial fiber optic to the home (FTTH) providers The MBBMI collects detailed info on all types of retail broadband availability (cable modem, DSL, etc) but FTTH seems the most pertinent The metro core of MD is well-connected, the rural periphery not so much.
Statewide Addresses
Parcel Maps
ne Maryland ne Centerline
Hi-Res Imagery
Tower Locations
2010 Census Demographics
2010 Census Demographics
Gaps Comprehensive maps of all fiber, microwave Fiber attributes dark/lit, capacity, ownership (owned/leased/sub-leased) Data maintenance Gaps in coverage (new towers?)
Conclusion Much work has been done but much is left to do A lot of base information is in place but details are sketchy Fiber location is known (somewhat) but who owns it, what are it s capabilities, how much does service cost, who to contact, etc Thankfully, the investment in broadband availability mapping, made the NTIA as part of the stimulus funding, will likely generate a significant return on investment when applied to FirstNet planning and implementation ther state data partnerships will also have useful data