Governor's Task Force on Broadband Releases Final Report

The Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access released its final report this week. WEMTA Legislative Chair Emily Dittmar was a member of the Task Force. Thank you, Emily, for your service! 

"All Wisconsinites should have broadband sufficient to successfully participate in society, including but not limited to, health, economic, and educational opportunities," states the Task Force. 

According to the FCC, about 394,000 Wisconsinites currently lack access to broadband meeting the minimum speed goals of 25/3 Mbps. These estimates are likely underreported due to weaknesses in the current FCC mapping process. A study performed by BroadbandNow estimates that 670,592 Wisconsinites lack access to 25/3 broadband speeds. It is further estimated that about 10% of Wisconsin households do not have any type of computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, e-reader) in the home, and over 500,000 households do not have a desktop or laptop computer.  

The report makes the following recommendations.

Speed Goals and Timelines

• By 2025, all homes and businesses have access to broadband speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, and 50% have access to download speeds of 1 Gbps. Currently, only 17.7% of Wisconsin has access to 1 Gbps service speed.

• By 2028, all homes and business have access to broadband speeds of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. 

• By 2031, all homes and businesses have access to broadband speeds of 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload, and 90% have access to downloads speeds of 1 Gbps.

Top Policy Recommendations, include:

• Increasing public-private partnerships that make use of public infrastructure to reach underserved areas by private providers. The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) Trust Fund Loan program is mentioned as an example of public funding for broadband infrastructure. 

• Increase Broadband Expansion Grant funding. A sub-recommendation lists continuing TEACH IT Funding.

• Collect internet access data from providers at the granular home and business level.

• Increase broadband consumer protections and price transparency.
  
  
• Establish a State Internet Assistance Program to address the issue of affordability. Currently, only 44% of Wisconsin residents have access to internet service at less than $60 per month. 

• Establish a statewide Digital Equity Fund run by a nonprofit to strengthen digital inclusion activities. 

• Create a statewide Digital Navigator to assist under-connected people in solving a wide-range of adoption issues. 

• Establish and support a coalition of willing, engaged broadband leaders to connect communities with providers, local and regional partners, planning and technical assistance opportunities, funding opportunities, and resources. 

• Create planning and implementation grants for regions and communities. 

More detailed recommendations can be found starting on page 23 of the report.