Broadband Internet: Why It’s Essential for New Hampshire Broadband Internet: Why It’s Essential for New Hampshire Dr. Charlie French, Program Leader Community & Economic Development UNH Cooperative Extension This presentation is funded under grant #33-50-M09048 from the US Dept of Commerce to the University of New Hampshire.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines Broadband as, “high-speed Internet that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up access” What is Broadband?

What Can you do with Broadband?

What does Speed Have to Do with Broadband? Download Speed Upload Speed Typical Uses (additive to level above) < 768 Kbps< 200 Kbps 768 Kbps to < 3 Mbps 200 Kbps to < 1.5 Mbps Web browsing and shopping Sending/receiving photos, word processing, and PDFs Limited streaming content; buffering can be slow Voice over IP 3 Mbps +1.5 Mbps + Sending/receiving large files (databases, videos, etc.) Streaming HD content HD quality videoconferencing VPN access Real-time HD medical imaging and consultation

Broadband is integral to the New Hampshire’s capacity to improve its economic future and quality of life! Three Reasons Why You Should Care Better jobs Enhanced education Accessible health care

11,000 new jobs $634 million impact 3X the revenue for businesses Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics cited in The National Broadband Plan Crandall, R., Singer, H The Economic Impact of Broadband Investment. National Cable & Telecommunications Association. 1. Jobs

Digital technologies career opportunities Sources: Pew Internet & American Life, 2008 NARUC Conference, Education

 $927 billion cost-savings for people 65+ (Litan, 2008) Source: Litan, R Potential Economic Benefits to the Nation From Accelerated Broadband Deployment to Older Americans and Americans with Disabilities. New Millennium Research Council. 3. Health

Nice or Necessary? “… we need a high speed system to help us to track our product from net to market and get NH seafood on the map locally.” Bob Campbell, Former Manager, Yankee Fishermen’s Co-op

Viewpoint from New Hampshire Residents How do you get access to the internet at home?” Granite State Poll conducted by UNH Survey Center, April 9-11, 2012.

Broadband Access by Geography Granite State Poll conducted by UNH Survey Center, April 9-11, 2012.

Broadband Access by Geography

Do you consider your current Internet connection at home adequate? 93% yes Granite State Poll

Educational Institutions Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs? 53% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs of Educational Institutions 66% would like access to self-paced, on-line learning 59% want to learn to effectively use technology for teaching

Small Businesses Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs? 64% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs of Small Businesses 67% want help using the web to market their products 60% need training/support to use social media for business

Cities and Towns Do you have sufficient connectivity to meet your needs? 72% Yes

Broadband Technology Needs of Local Governments 55% would like to learn more about E-governance 51% would like training on making websites interactive

So what does this all mean? 1. Broadband is not accessible/affordable to everyone 2. Lack of awareness of the benefits of broadband 3. We need to do a better job training people how to effectively utilize broadband internet