BROADBAND POLICY/REGULATION

Implement SB 766

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Ensure SB766 -- High Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act -- enlists an Illinois-based nonprofit effort to invest the $4,000,000 ICC Digital Divide Elimination Infrastructure Fund leftovers.

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Track whether HB1500 -- Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007-- in fact measurably improves the cost and speed of Internet service for Illinois commercial and residential customers.

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Create a new, dynamic broadband definition, relate metric to average national backbone speed with different, formula based numbers for homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, etc.

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Collect broadband data at the smallest geographic levels possible – smaller than areas captured by 5 digit zip codes.

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Inventory/register/map all state fiber

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BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

CORE

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Model the Macoupin-Montgomery "Vince Demuzio Broadband Pilot" in other regions of rural Illinois.

 

EDGE

Catalog and increase the number of wireless zones in small cities.

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Approve wireless broadband solutions (whatever number the Council thinks is acceptable) and provide those solutions (equipment listing) on a state contract with pricing detailed. 

The idea is that local government could then buy off a state contract and have confidence that the pricing they are getting is fair.  It could be one step further than listing pilots, but also providing a template of what is entailed in each pilot and providing a means for the local government to purchase.

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Explore other last mile options -- Wireless, WiFi, IEEE 802.16x (WiMax)

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BROADBAND USES/APPLICATIONS/DEMAND

A broadband videophone in the home of every deaf-occupied household in the state. Ensure the speech- and hearing- disabled have access to broadband-based basic telecommunications at costs comparable to basic telephone service.

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Wireless broadband on Amtrak.

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Expand TIPP to include elementary students, and help participating schools train children in Internet literacy.

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A coordinated network among public, private and nonprofit sectors, to link major technology corps and community service programs to community, government and digital education projects, especially in underserved communities and audiences, and including cooperation in outreach on Digital TV Transition February 2009 and ICT and Digital Education constitutency-building for decision-making on Chicago 2016 Olympics bid in October 2009.

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Public-private cooperation in Data Exchange and Mapping concerning public and private ICT and built infrastructure and Service Oriented Architecture for business, public and nonprofit enterprise services, with focus on reducing the costs of government, especially through digital government, and creating value in Virtual Infrastructure modeling and operating systems linked to 9 digit zip planning for safe & healthy communities throughout Illinois, and beginning with local-regional-state and multi-state ICT cooperation in planning for Chicago Olympics bid 2016.

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Partner with representative statewide NFP and network with other states and national parties to commission an economic development and competitiveness study of 5 or more states, including Illinois, based on Fiber + Wireless Advanced Internet strategies and financing models, to assist in setting policies for mapping, local technology planning, financing, deployment and digital education and digital government.

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An Internet Garage and jobs in every block developed through Digital Literacy-Digital Government cooperation, and Telephone/Postal Services-R-US-type small business services store in every big and little shopping center.

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Public access computer labs in every school, library, community center, congregation, park, health care and social services institution and public agency.

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A Community Forum for telecommunication investment outreach and service quality review in every telecommunication/public utility service area, from 30,000 to 250,000, including linking with Katrina Communication Circles planning safe and healthy community involving 911, 411, 311, and 211 (now in planning stage in Illinois) for electronic and human service connections and support for all everyday and in times of emergency.

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A Local Access Programming and Media Training site in every community, and community newspapers, including regular coverage of telecommunications and local quality of life.

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A Metrics Box of outcomes for website of every school, library, community center, park, public agency, services network and health/safety institution, and Data Cooperation agreements among public agencies, telecommunication carriers and others on investment, access, service quality and Better Data on impacts on quality of lives of individuals, families and communities.

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Digital Literacy awareness program for Illinois, linked with those of other states and Federal and state consumer-friendly systems (like FirstGov.gov and IllinoisClicks.org) and linked to local outreach networks for youth, adults, seniors and special communication populations.

 

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