Broadband forum’s focus:
Internet infrastructure
By Kathy McCarty
Broadband forums that began in Presque Isle in October and continued statewide over the past three weeks will conclude in Portland on Monday, Nov. 15, with officials gathering information that will help them determine ways to improve the state’s Internet infrastructure.
“Since January of this year, the ConnectME Authority has received nearly $5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), to pursue a broadband mapping and planning project, creating the first comprehensive geographic inventory of high-speed Internet services statewide for use in identifying unserved and underserved areas and in planning expansion throughout the state,” said Liane Judd, of Packard Judd Kaye, a Bangor-based marketing firm hired by the Authority to collect data at the forums.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
BROADBAND ACCESS and improvements to the state’s Internet infrastructure have been the focus of recent forums statewide. Gathering information for the ConnectME Authority during a recent meeting at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle were from left: Susan Kaye and Liane Judd, of Packard Judd Kaye, a marketing firm based in Bangor.
Six public forums were scheduled statewide between October and November in the communities of Presque Isle, Skowhegan, Machias, Bangor, Belfast and Portland.
“The purpose of these forums is to solicit input from residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations about broadband/Internet access — identifying the drivers and barriers to greater adoption in their respective geographic regions,” said Judd.
Judd said findings from the public forums and subsequent direct mail and online surveys will be analyzed and included in a broadband baseline assessment document for the ConnectME Authority in 2011, providing the foundation for developing the statewide broadband expansion plan.
“Public forums and surveys will be repeated in each of the successive years of the project, concluding in 2014,” Judd said.
In Presque Isle, the meeting was held at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library, with about a half dozen in attendance.
Susan Kaye, of Packard Judd Kaye, began by asking participants what the technology is being used for and, if it is not being used, what were the beliefs and misconceptions that prevented such use.
“We want to find out specific things — what areas in Maine do or don’t have access; who has high- or lower-speed access; what consumers are using the Internet for or what they might use it for. We want to know what people in Maine would do if they had access. The goal is to ultimately provide access to all, both business and residential customers,” said Kaye.
Walt Elish, president of Aroostook Partnership for Progress and a Presque Isle city councilor, said he was interested in finding out why the “take rate” was so low.
“I want to embark on a campaign to determine why people are not taking it (Internet access),” said Elish, who is also a member of Mobilize Maine, an organization looking for ways to improve the economy of northern Maine, whose focus is on renewable energy and IT service as ways to attract businesses to Aroostook.
Kaye said that “was the kind of issue we want to address.”
“Maine has one of the lowest take rates in the country,” said Judd.
Elish indicated income is factor in whether a person uses the Internet or not.
“Per capita, income is so low, people can’t afford it — that may have something to do with it,” said Elish. “They have two or three snowmobiles but may not have the Internet.”
The group discussed how the service would be used, if more people had access.
“There are more people working out of their homes than we realized. More would do so if companies felt they had reliable Internet service. More of that would occur if there was reliable service to most parts of the country,” said Kaye.
“In Presque Isle, access is easy. But the farther out you go, the more difficult it is due to poor connectivity,” said Ward Gerow, member of the Presque Isle Planning Board.
Elish said he’s also seen an increase in individuals and businesses using the Internet to market goods outside the ‘home’ community.
“They’re in business to make money and go wherever they can sell the most,” he said.
Gerow noted while download speed was adequate, upload speed was slower.
“I’d like to see both run at the same speed,” Gerow said.
The growing use of technology is making Internet access a must for more and more people, said Elish.
“More people use Blackberries. I know in the County and rural Maine, you know when your service drops. I use mine all over,” said Elish.
“Teens, young adults — the movers and shakers — it would definitely be a factor (Internet access on the go),” said Jessica Chase-Smith.
“Traditionally, I use broadband at home. I use my Blackberry and Smart Phone on the road,” said Jan Murchison.
Another issue discussed was online safety, given the rise in identity theft and scam artists who use e-mail to ‘phish’ for information.
“The security issue is very real,” said Gerow.
“I shop online but call in to order,” said Murchison. “I teach my kids the Internet is a tool, not a toy.”
“The security issue is a big deal for people up here. Part of it is perhaps they haven’t been taught the tools to protect themselves,” said Chase-Smith. “And part of it is lack of education about computers and the Internet.”
Chase-Smith said she sees more and more people working from home due to transportation problems.
“Transportation is a big problem up here. We’re 200 miles away from Bangor. As a result, more people are working from home using the Internet,” she said.
“That’s why I can work from Caribou for a business in Old Town,” added Murchison.
Gerow said education was another prime use of the service.
“Education — both credit and non-credit classes — would work well here due to the low density of offerings,” said Gerow.
Murchison said the Internet also provides a means of communication for family and friends.
“I know families out there who communicate with those far away,” she said.
Kaye noted the three primary uses for the Internet discussed at the Presque Isle forum: reducing social isolation, education and economic.
Gerow said he kept up with a recent gubernatorial debate online.
Elish said better service in Aroostook might help reduce out-migration and would encourage those who’ve already left the area to return.
“It might help bring people back to the County — to rural areas — if they know they can work from home. We won’t see that happen without reliable broadband,” said Elish.
The group discussed cost and how it would factor into the number of people signing up for service. Elish said unless service is subsidized, it was unlikely everyone could or would sign up.
“I think it’s unrealistic. I’m not sure what the price point would be — not everyone could afford service,” Elish said. “But maybe over time the issue will take care of itself. Most kids are using technology nowadays.”
“People are growing up with technology — using it more,” said Chase-Smith.
Elish and Chase-Smith noted the importance of the Internet to today’s society and how it applies to Aroostook County businesses.
“Without the Internet, we would be at a disadvantage,” said Elish.
“A lot of businesses are using technology — using Facebook to post business information. Some people just don’t understand how important Internet access is,” said Chase-Smith, noting she used it for her recent political campaign. “I use Facebook a lot. The Presque Isle Police Department posts information on Facebook — solves crimes using Facebook. More people are using it, not just 13-year-olds. More are incorporating (Facebook) into business.”
For more information, contact Judd at 990-2774 or visit the ConnectME Authority website at www.maine.gov/connectme/.
