Why Is This Important?
Nearly every aspect of our daily lives involves interacting with the internet in some capacity. Broadband allows Louisianians and businesses access to the most basic amenities needed in the 21st century. We know how important it is for those interactions to bring meaningful benefits to all residents of our state. Internet access has become a critical piece of infrastructure, igniting economic growth and competitiveness. With proper care and planning, we can ensure that all Louisianians receive affordable access to fast internet connections and information on how to use the latest devices.
As internet expands, we recognize the inequalities for those who do not have access to the technology, tools and skills needed to participate in our digital world. This Digital Divide is the gap between those who have the resources to access afford and understand technology and those who do not. It affects Louisianians of all ages, both rural and urban communities and a wide variety of industries.
What is Broadband?
Broadband (broad bandwidth) is any connection that allows data to move quickly from the internet to your device. Think of it as an internet pipeline, much like a water or sewer pipeline. In Louisiana, we define broadband as connections with minimum speeds of 100 megabits per second download (when data loads from the internet to your computer or device) and 20 megabits per second upload (when you send data from your computer or device out to the internet). Today, there are many different types of connections that provide broadband and the options can be very confusing. This is in stark contrast to the early days of internet when dial-up modems provided only 28.8 kilobits per second download and even less in upload speeds. A full-length movie would take nine days to download!
Creating Connectivity
Today, there are many different types of connections that provide broadband at 100:20, and the options available can be very confusing, even for someone well versed in understanding telecommunication options! Below are descriptions:
This technology is based on glass cables that transmit data through pulses of light with connectivity that can reach blistering speeds. Each fiber is smaller than a human hair and bundled into strands that make up one cable. As a leading innovative technology of the 20th century, fiber connections have facilitated the modern development of our world. Today, fiber networks connect almost every location on earth to internet infrastructure and can support speeds and reliability that are far superior to other connection types (background information on the development of fiber cable can be found here). The one disadvantage to fiber technology is availability. Fiber-to-the-premises networks tend to be expensive and are best suited for denser areas, or where the value and importance of the connection warrants the greater expense.
While lacking in speed and potential reliability of fiber optics, cable internet connections are one of the most common types of connections available for access. This type of internet access uses the same coaxial connection that providers use for broadcasting cable television signals. Historically, limitations with regard to speed reliability can be a concern, as coaxial cables are susceptible to network congestion and slowed speeds, especially during peak usage times.
Short for digital subscriber line, this type of connection is usually available where access to fiber optic or cable is limited. This connection utilizes traditional phone lines; however, unlike dial-up access of the past, you can continue to use your internet connection without worrying about incoming or outgoing phone calls. DSL connections are fairly reliable and affordable, but this type of connection lacks the speed and reliability of higher speed fiber optic or cable connections
Satellite internet is widely available because it doesn't rely on ground-laid infrastructure like the other options discussed. A special dish is installed and connects with satellites in space. If you have a clear view of the southern sky, there's a pretty good chance that there's a satellite provider capable of delivering an internet connection to your home. However, there are challenges with satellite services. They rely on a comparatively small number of satellites, and even though signals are fast, there’s no way to speed up the “latency,” or the time it takes your clicks and keystrokes to travel up to the satellite, back down to a receiving station, out to the internet, back to the receiving station, back up to the satellite and back down to you. This type of service is also very expensive and, as anyone whose service has been knocked out during a thunderstorm can attest, can be unreliable in bad weather.
Fixed wireless means transmissions between equipment that is fixed in specific locations, usually a tower in one location and an antenna on your home or business. Fixed wireless networks still require fiber, but that fiber only goes to towers and other transmission sites—the signal travels wirelessly from there. All fixed wireless internet connections require a direct line of sight, so if there are hills, trees, buildings or other obstacles nearby, they can distort your connection. In addition, weather can play into connectivity issues, but not nearly as bad as what could be experienced with a satellite internet connection.
With this connection type, your cellular carrier connects your router or hotspot to the cellular tower nearest you, just like it does with your phone. Speeds vary based on how close you are to a tower but are likely to be faster than with a fixed wireless connection. Download speeds vary depending on the cellular carrier, location of access and other factors, such as network congestion. Also, data usage and speed can be limited if you don't have a cellular plan that offers unlimited data access.
With this connection type, your cellular carrier connects your router or hotspot to the cellular tower nearest you, just like it does with your phone. Speeds vary based on how close you are to a tower but are likely to be faster than with a fixed wireless connection. Download speeds vary depending on the cellular carrier, location of access and other factors, such as network congestion. Also, data usage and speed can be limited if you don't have a cellular plan that offers unlimited data access.
Benefits of Broadband
With the expansion of faster internet connections throughout the state, many benefits are realized as more and more residents are connected. Here are just a few examples of how broadband connectivity can benefit the people and businesses closest to you.
Enhanced internet connections are a large factor in the quality of education received throughout our parish school systems. While there are many challenges for our local administrators and teachers to face, broadband internet connectivity should not be one of them. Better connections can enhance educational experiences by giving our teachers the access to resources that nurture our children and foster learning and creativity. Classroom walls can be expanded, allowing children to participate in distance learning and receive access to classroom instruction that would not be available locally.
Connectivity enables local communities to attract and retain top talent for their businesses. Job expansion opportunities become more numerous when businesses can be more productive and profitable. The playing field between large and small businesses can be further leveled when they can compete across local, national and global markets.
Local municipalities rely on their first responders to protect the public in both daily and crisis situations. Having access to broadband is an indispensable reliance that allows police and fire departments, as well as other governmental entities, to support and protect the public. This involves effective early warning or public alert systems, disaster recovery and incident response.
Faster connections afford better access to clinical services needed for those that lack health care providers in their communities. Added capabilities for providers can provide significantly improve cost-effective access to quality health care. Better remote health care monitoring can allow physicians to be vigilant in providing real-time feedback for better overall patient health.
The opportunity for many employees to choose where they would like to work can allow positive changes in communities across the country. With a proper broadband connection at home, employees can still accomplish tasks for work in a timely manner without worrying about commutes or travel costs. More importantly, they can realize a better quality of life through more time with their family and friends.
Today, a great internet connection is essential in enjoying entertainment across a variety of mediums. Streaming video and music, online gaming and connecting with others through social media are only possible because of broadband.
Broadband can be a great tool to address needs of those with disabilities. Various technology now exists to assist those who could be hearing or visually impaired. From webcam applications to screen reading programs, new technology is always on the horizon to bridge the gap and assist those who may be challenged in some way.
Broadband can be a great tool to address needs of those with disabilities. Various technology now exists to assist those who could be hearing or visually impaired. From webcam applications to screen reading programs, new technology is always on the horizon to bridge the gap and assist those who may be challenged in some way.
Bridging The Digital Divide
Eliminating the digital divide is a significant challenge, but we believe it can be accomplished in Louisiana by 2029. The challenges of this can be explained in three main pillars:
Access
Data indicates there are several hundred thousand households throughout Louisiana that lack broadband speeds of 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. ConnectLA aims to assist local leaders in identifying the extent of the problem locally, and in how they can use the available resources to their benefit. In the short term, there are two programs that aim to impact residents: together, these two programs will affect 250,000 locations during the next five to six years. In 2020, the FCC awarded $342 million to 13 private internet service providers through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. This funding will provide broadband internet to a considerable number of residents over a six-year period. In addition, the state's GUMBO grant program has funded $163 million for local providers to work with municipalities in building out broadband infrastructure.
Affordability
A big hurdle to broadband access for some residents is being able to afford monthly charges for internet service. 43.6% of people or households do not have access to a low cost, high-speed internet subscription for their homes. Assisting those with affordability concerns will ensure they receive the service they need. ConnectLA believes this is an important area. The GUMBO grant program includes consumer price as a scoring metric to ensure that we offer affordable programs.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to $30 each month toward internet service for eligible households. Louisiana ranks in the top beneficiaries of the FCC affordability program with over 309,000 households benefitting from this program, and we strongly encourage our residents to apply.
Digital Literacy
In today’s society, it is critical for residents of all ages to be able to use the technology and resources available to them. The goal of digital literacy initiatives is to provide learning opportunities and resources for users to gain a working knowledge of the devices and applications at use in their lives. Internal office analysis, extrapolated from the results of a national assessment contained within a 2018 U.S. Department of Education report, indicates that as many as 460,000 Louisiana residents, ages 18-64, lack basic foundational computer skills necessary to take full advantage of broadband services. To provide affordable broadband connectivity to all, we must ensure leaders throughout our state provide the digital literacy tools necessary for Louisianians to excel. ConnectLA is actively working with key stakeholders in educational institutions and libraries to develop and implement models of success, such as the Northstar Digital Literacy program. Digital literacy is important because, even if everyone has access to high-speed affordable broadband, people need to know how to use it for it to be beneficial.