Extracted text (via pymupdf)
8214 characters
Broadband and Digital Equity City Council Connectivity Subcommittee Dennis Aust, Telecommunications & Utility Franchise Manager Sam Andrea, Planning Senior Analyst Niki Tapia, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer Kerstin Nold, IT Chief Technology Officer June 18, 2024 PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION Council Strategic Framework Guidance: • Forward-thinking transportation and technology networks with fiber and wireless technology providers that quickly and reliably connect people and business. - Assess the current state of Chandler’s level of service from broadband providers, identifying gaps and recommending strategies for improved coverage. Chandler strives to be the Most Connected City and a Community of Innovation • Broadband infrastructure and digital equity are crucial for Chandler's goal to be the most connected city. • High-speed internet fosters economic growth, education, healthcare access, and social inclusion. • Digital equity ensures all residents can participate fully in the digital age. What role can the City play in meeting these goals? 2 LICENSE AGREEMENTS Initiatives and policies related to broadband infrastructure: • Federal Code (Telecommunications Acts) • State Law (ARS 9-581 et. Seq.) • City Code (Chapter 46 and others…), Engineering Standards & City Policies (DSP-201) • Class 4, Class 5, Class 6 or Class 7 “Broadband” provider / mixed use City’s role in regulating/providing broadband: • Right-of-Way Management – Enforcement of CCC, Standards & Policies • Project Coordination (project tracking, but not project management) • Influence/encourage direction – FTTH = Improved Reliability 2 Challenges the city faces with agreements and regulations: • Limited authority – State and Federal pre-emption • Treating like providers similarly (Fee models, PEG Channels, etc.) • Resident education and outreach Background – Broadband Service Levels • What does it mean to be well served? • Availability – • Competition • Network Congestion (time of day, a.k.a. peak internet usage hours) • Reliability – • Copper/Coax, HFC or FTTH • HFC – FTTN vs. FTTP vs. FTTH • Broadband Level of Service Standard: • 3/14/2024 – FCC Officially upgraded Broadband Standard from 25/3 Mbps to 100/20 Mbps Background – Broadband Service Levels • Are there gaps in service currently? • What is an unserved area? • <25/3 Mbps • What is an underserved area? • >25/3, but <100/20Mbps • What is a low “take rate”? • Service is available, but customers are not subscribing. • So, when and how will these gaps be filled? • Let’s take a look at a few facts before we answer this question. Competition • Served = only requires 1 provider >100/20 Mbps • Well served = Multiple providers >100/20 Mbps • Both download and upload speeds must be met. Competition • Served = only requires 1 provider >100/20 Mbps • Well served = Multiple providers >100/20 Mbps • Both download and upload speeds must be met. Speedtest Served Areas • 3rd party crowd sourced data • Only takes 1 provider at >25/3 Mbps Getting the public to perform speed tests would help improve this data. CityScope outreach? Source: Ookla Served Areas • Provider reported data • Only takes 1 provider at >25/3 Mbps Source: FCC Background – CCC Permit Class system • Provider projects – 15 fiber providers in Chandler • What’s a like provider? How do we treat them similarly? • Class 4 Provider (ILEC) – CenturyLink/Lumen (Copper/HFC/FTTH) • Class 5 Providers – • Commercial/Industrial Focus – Alluvion, Light Source, MCI, TCA, Zayo • FTTH Focus – • Traditional – Google Fiber, Zoom Tech AZ • Open Access – Gigapower and Ubiquity • SWF Focus – Crown Castle Fiber • Class 6 Providers – Cox (Coax/HFC/FTTH) and Orbitel (Coax/HFC/FTTH) • Class 7 Providers (Easements) – SRP (Commercial/Industrial Focus), City of Chandler (Municipal and IGA partners) FTTP - Construction Complete In Construction Build plans for 2024 Build Plans 2025 + Build Plans All Providers (2024 & 2025) Future Outlook (2025 Year End) Background – Wireless Broadband • Provider projects – 3 primary wireless broadband providers in Chandler • AT&T • Verizon • T-Mobile + former Sprint sites • Site Types: • Macro Sites • Small Wireless Facilities • Heat Maps Macro Cell Sites Small Cell Sites All Carriers https://cellanalytics.ookla.com/ Heat map shows the following: • Red =great service • Yellow = good service • Green=Not the best service Background – Service Gaps? • Is Chandler underserved? • Maybe in terms of a lack of reliability and competition, but we certainly have low “take rates” in some areas. • Why? • Here are some data points that may help explain: • Median Household Income • CDBG Eligible Census Blocks • Households without a laptop or a desktop • Areas with no broadband subscription (i.e. low take rates) • When and how will these gaps be filled? Percent with Broadband Subscriptions As we’ve seen, availability isn’t really the problem. Affordability might be, though. Median Household Incomes Percent with Desktop or Laptop Another sign pointing to affordability as the biggest factor of the digital divide in Chandler. A correlation between Low Income areas and Low Take Rates. CDBG Eligible Census Block Group A correlation between CDBG eligible areas and Low Take Rates. Next Steps What role can the City play in supporting digital equity? • Supporting initiatives: • HIVEs (ASU Digital Equity Institute) • School District Initiatives • Staff ideas: • Public Wi-Fi at Public Housing Sites • Broadband Digital Equity Resolution HIVE by Digital Equity Institute (ASU) Where Community Meets Technology • Support underserved communities to thrive in the digital world. • Provide tailored assistance from specialized "digital navigators." • Offer free access to tablets, laptops, and desktops. • Assist with personal devices: smartphones, tablets, and laptops. • Conduct Internet Safety workshops teaching digital essentials. • Introduce new tech like VR goggles and 3D printers. • Operate six HIVE locations throughout the Valley, including one in Chandler. • Funded by the ASU Digital Equity Institute (DEI). • City facilitating CUSD, AZCEND and ASU partnership on future HIVE location in Chandler. Public Wi-Fi Leverage public housing sites to improve underserved areas and take-rates: Options: • Service Area 1 (Chandler Blvd. & Hamilton St.) • Service Area 2 (McQueen & Chandler Blvd.) • *Service Area 3 (71 S. Hamilton St.) • Service Area 4 (Pecos Rd. & Palm Ln.) • **Villas on McQueen Build into construction costs while sites are redeveloped. *Already served by City of Chandler fiber. **City fiber exists along the property frontage. Service Area 1 Chandler Blvd. & Hamilton St. Service Area 2 McQueen Rd. & Chandler Blvd Service Area 3 71 S. Hamilton St. Service Area 4 Pecos Rd. & Palm Ln. All 4 Section 8 Housing Options Broadband Digital Equity Resolution Purpose: • The purpose of this Resolution is to reduce the digital divide, foster competition among broadband companies and reduce construction impacts to neighborhoods by reducing the need for companies to overbuild one-another. Key Points: • Set a 1-year moratorium on overbuilt neighborhoods. • Providers must install within alleys when they are not congested. • Providers should offer a low-cost Internet Service package for those who qualify. • Fee transparency. • Incent participation. • Revenue model incentives, microtrenching, expedited plan review for 6 months, etc., for providers that participate. Formalizes existing practices into cohesive strategy to address digital equity. Summary of Options • Public Wi-Fi for Public Housing Sites • Makes broadband available for free to help close the digital divide in our community. • Broadband Digital Equity Resolution • Helps reduce the impact to city roads. • Helps reduce the construction impact to residents. • Encourages providers to offer affordable plans. • Encourages providers to be transparent about their fees. • Encourages providers to be more competitive. Questions? https://www.chandleraz.gov/government/departments/development-services/telecommunications-and-utility-franchise