Broadband Enhancement Plan. September Riding Broadband to New Heights. Recommended by Wyoming Broadband Advisory Council

Transcription

1 September 2018 Broadband Enhancement Plan Riding Broadband to New Heights Recommended by Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil Approved by Wyoming Bsiness Concil

2 Wyoming... A Place of Technology Utilization The Integrated Test Center (ITC) is a pblic-private partnership that brings together government, indstry and cooperatives with the shared goal of developing commercially viable ses for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The Research Institte of Enhanced Oil Recovery (RIEOR) at the University of Wyoming (UW) ses technology to enhance its research in applied geology, reservoir development and applied chemical engineering. UW s High Bay Research Facility opened in 2017 to provide 90,000 sqare feet of traditional and high-bay research, laboratories and offices for improved oil recovery, geomechanics, and strctral engineering stdies. 2

3 Table of Contents Broadband Enhancement Plan Smmary Map... 3 Welcome Letter... 4 Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil... 5 Introdction... 6 Key Definitions... 7 Form a Winning Team... 8 Create a Portal for Information... 8 Develop a Mapping Strategy Leverage Pblic-Private Partnerships Remove Barriers to Deployment Increase Access to Fnding Integrate Emerging Technologies Acronyms List of Contribtors Photos provided by the Wyoming Office of Torism

4 Broadband Sccess Stories in Wyoming Broadband providers in Wyoming have invested millions in infrastrctre, inclding developing innovative ways to serve difficlt locations and increasing services within remote rral territories, connecting bsinesses and residences in many mnicipalities with Gig service. Several broadband providers have worked to increase backhal capacity along the major arteries of the state, inclding the I-25 corridor. 2

5 Focsed by the Mission Broadband Enhancement Plan Smmary Map Mission Enrich lives, enable economic diversification and move Wyoming to a position of leadership in the new digital world by ensring every citizen and bsiness has access to affordable, reliable, redndant and ftre-proof broadband Flfilling the Mission Gided by the Vision Inspired by the Moonshot Vision Every Wyoming citizen and every identified bsiness corridor will have the opportnity to access broadband Internet capabilities that exceed defined standards by no later than 2023 Moonshot Leave no Wyoming citizen behind and position every bsiness to compete on a global scale by ensring they each connect to the rest of the digital world with broadband Internet capabilities that set the standard for all others to follow by 2025 Making the Vision a Reality Striving for the Moonshot Engage Stakeholders INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES BROADBAND PROVIDERS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES Ensring the Sccess of Stakeholders Listen to their Voice and Needs Address the need for reliable & affordable Internet for all citizens Provide reliable & redndant Internet infrastrctre that enables bsinesses to compete & serve their cstomers Ensre a fair & competitive environment for all providers withot excessive government oversight Establish a framework of collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders & pblic entities Working Together Address Financial Challenges Provide opportnities for both individal investment & financial spport when appropriate Secre anchor tenants & promote private investment to spplement available pblic fnds Promote private investment & identify opportnities for expansion of broadband services Prse opportnities for additional local, tribal, state & federal resorces Maximizing Financial Resorces Develop, Maintain & Enhance Processes to Achieve Objectives Provide edcation & information Create opportnities for involvement Ensre awareness of available soltions Spply coverage maps & information Track & report progress, stats & sccesses Promote broadband availability Enhance economic development Establish & pdate performance standards Address barriers & opportnities Develop forms to foster cooperation Prse private pblic partnerships Identify & seize Win/Win otcomes Gather, maintain & enhance accrate broadband maps Identify additional fnding Develop pblic policy & programs Develop processes to procre fnding Define fnding programs available Address right-of-way, easement, access & permitting Maintaining, Enhancing & Execting Processes Effectively & Efficiently Leverage Available Technology Contine to prse and promote Fiber broadband expansion where feasible Accelerate and promote rral Wireless broadband expansion Monitor developments & prse Atmospheric broadband pilot projects Monitor developments & prse Satellite broadband pilot projects Realizing Investment Benefits Driven by Core Vales and Principles FAIRNESS COLLABORATION TRANSPARENCY EFFICIENCY 3 INNOVATION AGILITY Achieving Common Goals

6 Welcome Letter Wyoming has always been a place of adventre, exploration and freedom. This lifestyle, which has traditionally inclded torism, ranching, mining, manfactring and agricltre is being modernized as the state officials prepare for emerging technologies to enter the market. Wyoming also has the lowest poplation density of the contigos 48 states, according to 2015 United States Censs Brea estimates, making delivering broadband services a niqe challenge. The State of Wyoming and its broadband providers have been working diligently for several years in improving the existing infrastrctre for the benefit of citizens and bsinesses with many sccesses. This Wyoming Broadband Enhancement Plan (Plan) will bild on that fondation to frther reach nserved areas and prepare for the ftre world that demands instant access to data and information both for individals and atomated devices. The Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming (ENDOW) Exective Concil s report on Transforming Wyoming a 20-Year Economic Diversification Strategy otlines several areas where broadband connectivity is critical to Wyoming s long term strategy for growth and economic prosperity. The Plan is created to compliment and drive Wyoming s aspirational goals in the ENDOW report. To enable these advances, the Wyoming Bsiness Concil (WBC) and its partners are ready to take proactive measres to ensre that bsinesses and residents have the broadband services they need. In an increasingly digital society, they mst work together so no one will be left behind becase of where they live or work. These partners are focsed on making Wyoming a technology leader by expanding services to spport economic diversity and job growth. In the pcoming years, the partners in this Plan shold work to identify opportnities for broadband expansion, remove barriers, coordinate fnding efforts and invite new technologies into Wyoming s economy. As broadband providers make significant investments into the state, or intent is not to overbild. Indstry shold be challenged to help lift technology in all commnities, while leveraging government resorces to expand into nserved areas. This Plan lays a framework for the ftre. It is aimed at enhancing the efforts of an already strong infrastrctre to reach the most rral parts of the state. The Plan gives recommendations on how the WBC and its partners shold proceed to accomplish these goals and rally arond a common vision. As members of the Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil, we join this effort and thank Governor Matthew Mead and the Wyoming State Legislatre for convening s to develop these recommendations. We also invite or incoming governor to join this effort and help s work throgh these isses to connect Wyoming to a promising ftre. Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil 4

7 Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil Dog Wilson Concil Chair Powder River Energy Corporation Rss Elliott Broadband Manager Wyoming Bsiness Concil Rep. Albert Sommers Special Advisor Wyoming State Legislatre Sen. Dan Dockstader Special Advisor Wyoming State Legislatre Ashley Harpstreith Concil Member Goshen Conty Economic Development Patrick Adam Lawson Concil Member Northern Arapaho Tribal Indstries Zane Logan Concil Member Powell City Randy Miller Concil Member Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Erik Rasmssen Concil Member Charter Commnications Chad Rpe Concil Member USDA Rral Development Laren Schoenfeld Concil Member Sweetwater Conty YWCA Barbara Sessions Concil Member Silver Star Commnications Tyler Vasko Concil Member Eastern Wyoming College Tony Yong Concil Member State Chief Information Officer 5

8 Introdction The Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil (Advisory Concil) has developed a mission to gide its decisions and a vision for Wyoming s ftre in The vision is focsed on achieving minimm speeds of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps pload for residences and one Gigabit per second (Gig) download and 100 Mbps for major bsiness corridors. These speeds will be reviewed by the Advisory Concil who will make recommendations to the WBC as needed. It has also set a moonshot goal to enlist its partners to psh the limits of what is possible to ensre that Wyoming becomes a leader in broadband deployment and tilization. Mission Enrich lives, enable economic diversification and move Wyoming to a position of leadership in the new digital world by ensring every citizen and bsiness has access to affordable, reliable, redndant and ftre-proof broadband Vision Every Wyoming citizen and every identified bsiness corridor will have the opportnity to access broadband Internet capabilities that exceed defined standards by no later than 2023 Moonshot Leave no Wyoming citizen behind and position every bsiness to compete on a global scale by ensring they each connect to the rest of the digital world with broadband Internet capabilities that set the standard for all others to follow by 2025 Address Stakeholder Needs The mission, vision, moonshot are all focsed on meeting the needs of stakeholders which are briefly otlined in the following table. INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES BROADBAND PROVIDERS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES Address the need for reliable & affordable Internet for all citizens Provide reliable & redndant Internet infrastrctre that enables bsinesses to compete & serve their cstomers Ensre a fair & competitive environment for all providers withot excessive government oversight Establish a framework of collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders & pblic entities Provide opportnities for both individal investment & financial spport when appropriate Secre anchor tenants & promote private investment to spplement available pblic fnds Promote private investment & identify opportnities for expansion of broadband services Prse opportnities for additional local, tribal, state & federal resorces 6

9 Key Definitions Strctre Ongoing Priorities SEA No otlined a standard for coverage of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps pload speeds in residential areas and one Gig download speed and 100 Mbps pload speed in bsiness corridors when disbrsing fnds for the State Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd. These speeds shold also be soght as a minimm in implementing other portions of this Plan. The Advisory Concil shold evalate these speeds to meet the stattory reqirement to propose changes to the Wyoming Bsiness Concil (WBC) by March 1, 2020, as reqired by the statte. After receipt of the recommendation from the Advisory Concil, the WBC will engage in a rlemaking in accordance with W.S to establish minimm bsiness and residential pload and download speeds broadband projects mst meet to qalify for fnding. The WBC and its partners shold also work to gain coverage for prioritized areas of the state as defined by the legislation. Redndancy and reliability shold also be a priority in the ongoing strategy. This Plan gives an initial list of recommendations identified dring the planning process, bt the Advisory Concil recommends that priorities shold be continally reviewed and adjsted, which will reqire ongoing analysis and advocacy. Ftre analysis shold also track which activities can be accomplished within existing bdgets and which items wold need additional fnding throgh the state or other sorces. affordable broadband rates comparable to those offered in rban areas by reference to standards pblished by the Federal Commnications Commission broadband a high-capacity transmission techniqe sing a wide range of freqencies, which enables a large nmber of messages to be commnicated simltaneosly moonshot a moonshot, in a technology context, is an ambitios, exploratory and grond-breaking project ndertaken withot any expectation of near-term profitability or benefit and also, perhaps, withot a fll investigation of potential risks and benefits redndancy a process throgh which additional or alternate instances of network devices, eqipment and commnication medims are installed within broadband infrastrctre. It is a method for ensring broadband availability in case of a network device or path failre and navailability; as sch, it provides a means of network failover rral all areas otside of a metropolitan service area served defined in Wyoming Statte (b) nderserved speeds between Wyoming Statte (b) and Wyoming Statte (e) nserved defined in Wyoming Statte (e) 7

10 Form a Winning Team State Broadband Leadership Following the 2018 legislative session, Governor Matt Mead signed into law SEA No. 0036, appointing the WBC a lead role in overseeing broadband planning and coordination efforts. The legislation also created the Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil and appropriated $10 million to establish a Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd. WBC, in consltation with the Governor s Office and ENDOW Exective Concil, was given fnding to hire a Broadband Manager with telecommnications expertise to oversee those efforts. The Broadband Manager will be a main point of contact and hb of information for all of the partners involved in this effort. The Broadband Manager shold also work with national grops and advocate for stakeholders throgh official comments when necessary. WBC shold evalate the progress of this Plan on an annal basis and make fnding recommendations to the Governor s Office and Wyoming State Legislatre to contine these efforts. Wyoming Broadband Advisory Concil The Advisory Concil consists of eleven members. These members inclde the state chief information officer or designee; a representative from the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone tribes; and the remaining members are appointed from the pblic at large. They shold have geographic diversity and diverse interests, which may inclde economic development, state or local government, broadband providers, technology-related bsinesses, health care, edcation, library services and pblic safety. The Advisory Concil is also appointed one senator, appointed by the President of the Senate, and one representative, appointed by the Speaker of the Hose, to serve as legislative liaisons. The Advisory Concil shold hold a qarterly in-person meeting and the Broadband Manager shold report the progress made on this Plan to the WBC on a reglar basis. The Advisory Concil may also meet more freqently if needed. Create a Portal for Information Some recommended information for the site incldes: The WBC shold create a webpage so interested stakeholders can learn more abot what the state is doing to improve broadband services. The depth and complexity of this website will be sbject to fnding. Basic information on broadband (speeds, technologies, etc) Schedles and meeting mintes for the Advisory Concil Links to the interactive mapping tool A speed test Information on applying for state and federal fnding Policy isse information 8

11 The Advisory Concil was given athority to provide advice and recommendations on the inventory and mapping of crrent broadband availability; recommend practices and technologies for providing broadband in the most efficient manner possible; develop state and local practices to encorage the development of broadband services; review applications received for the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd as reqested by the WBC; propose a state Broadband Enhancement Plan to the WBC; and recommend changes to the WBC in the pload and download speeds specified in the definition of nserved areas, inclding nserved residential and bsiness corridors by Broadband Providers Working with indstry partners is vital to the sccess of this Plan. Understanding the varios technologies, policy considerations and bsiness models of these bsinesses will be important for the WBC and Advisory Concil as they seek to collaborate on projects to improve services in Wyoming. These providers are encoraged to attend Advisory Concil and WBC meetings to give feedback on technical and policy isses. They have also been invited to participate in the mapping program. The Wyoming Bsiness Alliance (WBA) has also convened a broadband provider working grop to solicit indstry inpt. The Advisory Concil and the WBC shold tilize information from this working grop, along with feedback from individal providers, to monitor their progress on implementing this plan. Local Governments City and conty officials are essential partners to implement the recommendations in this Plan. Many policies that impact broadband deployment sch as franchise agreements, rights of way, pole attachments and access to pblic strctres are made on a local level. Local officials shold work with the WBC and broadband providers to determine how to encorage deployment and be engaged in the local planning process. Department of Enterprise Technology Services The Unified Network, within the Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS), was created in 2012 to connect anchor instittions, inclding schools and Exective Branch state government facilities. The network is focsed on leveraging the Wyoming edcation and government broadband demands to promote the expansion of broadband infrastrctre tilizing private sector partners that can also provide services to local commnities. The Unified Network is a member of the Advisory Concil and will be a key partner in implementing this plan. Wyoming Department of Transportation The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has been a leader in working with the private sector to allow them to install fiber and condit in highway rightsof-way. The agency is also working with AT&T to deploy the FirstNet first responder LTE broadband network. Throghot the development of this plan, WYDOT provided information and feedback to the Advisory Concil and will play an ongoing role as the Plan is implemented. United States Department of Agricltre The United States Department of Agricltre (USDA) will be a key partner to the Advisory Concil to assist with both the planning and fnding strategy. USDA provides grants and loan garantees to spport ongoing projects and has fnded several projects in Wyoming. The agency may also help the Advisory Concil identify other sorces of federal fnding to spport broadband bildots. Tribal Partners Wyoming s tribes are important partners to help insre that tribal members gain access to the services they need. Since these tribes have sovereign governments and niqe needs, WBC and the Advisory Concil shold convene a tribal working grop that incldes tribal leaders and Brea of Indian Affairs (BIA) representatives to develop a tribal strategy. They shold assist providers in working with the tribes to more effectively to install, pgrade, enhance and move eqipment as necessary. The Broadband Manager can help facilitate these conversations. 9

12 Develop a Mapping Strategy KEY RECOMMENDATIONS A key component of this Plan is to develop a strategy to map crrent broadband data. SEA No athorized the WBC to develop an inventory and map of crrent broadband availability, as provided by volntary sbmissions from broadband providers and derived from other resorces, inclding the Federal Commnications Commission (FCC). The data will provide a fondation for the WBC to administer the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd and help the state, providers, and local commnities identify the levels of service throghot Wyoming. Collect initial data and bild ser interface Refine and verify the data Create a sstainability plan for data pdates Analyze and leverage the data 10

13 The FCC collects broadband data from providers twice a year on a censs block level. Large censs blocks are problematic in western states becase if one location is served, the entire block is shown as served. According to data provided by the Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, Wyoming s largest censs block is 575 sqare miles. The percentage of censs blocks greater than two miles is 11% bt those censs blocks cover 81,987 sqare miles or 84% of the state. This indicates frther data and analysis is needed to determine coverage levels. The following table shows the size characteristics of censs blocks throghot Wyoming. FCC data will likely be sfficient in many of the more rban areas; however the larger censs blocks need frther analysis to determine their broadband needs. More granlar data is needed for local planning and so the WBC can have a fair and accrate method to make disbrsements from the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd. Celllar coverage data is also available from the FCC and shold be tilized by the WBC as it assesses Wyoming s broadband needs. This more refined data cold also be sefl to providers and other parties that wish to apply for federal fnding becase some of the programs will accept other sorces of data beyond the FCC collection. Applicants shold work with the WBC to demonstrate that additional areas shold be eligible for these programs. The following framework provides a description of how the data shold be collected: Phase 1: Collect Initial Data and Bild User Interface The FCC collects data from broadband providers throghot the contry bt as a reslt of the size of this effort, processing and releasing the data is sally delayed. The crrent FCC data release is from Conseqently, the WBC shold ask providers to provide a copy of their most recent Form 477 sbmission as a starting point. This data also provides information on delivered speeds and technologies to demonstrate the level of coverage. The WBC shold work with a mapping contractor to display the data on a ser interface so stakeholders can access and tilize it. Phase 2: Refine and Verify the Data Wyoming Censs Blocks To refine the data, the WBC shold tilize three main methods. These three methods were sent to the broadband providers for feedback and the responses indicated the options may be viable. Providers had different preferences based on their technical capabilities bt all of the methods shold be allowed Block Size (Sqare Miles) Nmber of Blocks Percent of Blocks Total Sqare Miles 1 mile and less 71,761 83% 8, miles 5,148 6% 7, miles 2,489 3% 6, miles 1,512 2% 5, Greater than 4 miles 5,295 6% 70, Total blocks 86, % 97,

14 to accont for these differences. The state may also work with providers to find other ways to collect data if needed. Sbmit coverage data sing standard GIS formats (KMZ, Shapefile, etc.) Utilize a data editing tool provided by the state to indicate covered areas (cells, small censs blocks, road segments etc.) Sbmit FCC Form 477 data for small censs blocks (nder 2 sqare miles) and then work with the state to provide more refined information on larger censs blocks The WBC shold serve as a main point of contact for data verification so that other stakeholders can report any potential inaccracies. Verification will be particlarly important in areas where applicants are applying for the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd. The Broadband Manager and Advisory Concil shold also investigate ways to evalate the reliability of the varios technologies. In cases of dispte, the WBC shold first work with the provider to make any necessary adjstments or sbmit any relevant evidence. The WBC may also contact local officials to weigh in on the isse. If inaccracies cannot be resolved between the parties and grant fnding is involved, it may be necessary to hire a third party field verifier to verify the data. However, this final step shold only be sed at the WBC s discretion as a last resort. The National Telecommnications and Information Administration (NTIA) also received $7 million in 2018 The Department of Enterprise Technology Services has connected schools and other pblic facilities by partnering with private broadband providers to help verify the FCC Form 477 data. The WBC and its partners shold work with NTIA to provide feedback on these verification efforts. Phase 3: Create a Sstainability Plan for Data Updates The WBC shold work with broadband providers to pdate the data to maintain its accracy. Ideally the data shold be pdated twice a year. Feedback from indstry indicated that collecting data in the fall and the spring wold be preferable to align the data collection with constrction seasons and FCC data sbmissions. The WBC shold inform the Governor s Office and Wyoming State Legislatre on the broadband deployment progress being made. Mapping data can be sed as a tool to help evalate broadband deployment progress. The WBC shold also work with the exective and legislative branches to determine an ongoing fnding mechanism to spport these efforts. Phase 4: Analyze and Leverage the Data Broadband data, along with other relevant data sets, can help gide planning and policy decisions in Wyoming. Sbject to fnding, collecting location data on residences, bsinesses and other key facilities will help prioritize the states planning and fnding efforts. These efforts shold inclde condcting a gap analysis to determine priority areas where pgrades to capacity and service are needed. The WBC cold work with city and conty officials to collect additional data sets inclding sbdivision data, parcel data, address data, censs and hosehold data, etc. to identify priority areas. Data on pcoming projects wold also be helpfl for the state in determining planning and fnding priorities. FirstNet plans to bild a pblic safety broadband network for first responders, which according to their plan, will increase cell coverage in some key rral areas. Mapping these areas as they are annonced will help determine ftre coverage needs. Areas receiving Connect America Fnds or other federal fnding shold be analyzed sing existing federal data sets. The WBC shold work with providers to determine a reasonable method to learn abot pcoming bilds that takes into accont how to handle proprietary information. 12

15 Sbject to fnding, information on tower locations, particlarly pblicly-owned sites may be sefl in determining where fixed and mobile wireless coverage cold be expanded. These data sets may inclde FCC data; data from the Department of Homeland Secrity (if available), data from WYDOT and other state partners, BLM-designated commnications sites and tower information inclded in sbdivision data. Broadband-related data shold be sed to tell the story of Wyoming s evolving broadband landscape. This information cold be sefl in attracting bsinesses to the state and helping existing bsinesses with expansion plans. As areas are bilt ot, these sccesses shold be commnicated both locally and to national partners who compare broadband access across states. These efforts shold position Wyoming as a leader in tilizing innovation to reach hard-to-serve areas. 13

16 Leverage Pblic-Private Partnerships KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Pblic-private partnerships shold play a key role in Wyoming s ftre in nserved areas. These partnerships can take varios forms inclding coapplying for fnding, working with providers to create carrier netral locations and towers, providing greater access to rights-of-way, working with private indstry to connect anchor instittions and allowing the tilization of pblic resorces sch as condit, tower sites and bildings for installations. These partnerships can lower costs, create efficiencies and accelerate deployment. Form regional partnerships Connect roads and emergency facilities Connect anchor instittions 14

17 The WBC, Advisory Concil, and local stakeholders shold facilitate these partnerships when needed. The WBC can provide expertise and direction to the local stakeholders on how to create and maintain these partnerships. The local stakeholders can brief the WBC on crrent and planned partnerships so that best practices and sccess stories can be shared across the state. The WCCA, WAM and the localities they represent will also be strategic partners in this effort. The following partnerships were identified dring this planning process and the Advisory Concil will find ongoing ways for the pblic sector to work with indstry. Condct Regional Otreach Many of the recommendations in this Plan reqire involvement by regional partners sch as city and conty officials, local broadband providers, bsinesses, and specialists in particlar indstries sch as edcation, health care and pblic safety. The WBC s Broadband Manager shold work with its Regional Directors to meet with local stakeholders to accomplish these goals. This work cold be accomplished throgh the WBC s economic development regions and be overseen by the Broadband Manager and Regional Directors. As the scope and responsibilities of these efforts progress, the WBC can determine if additional fnding and resorces are needed. This otreach cold inclde soliciting regional inpt, disseminating information from the WBC and providing trainings to local commnities on how to encorage broadband development. The WBC can meet with varios grops of partners according to local needs bt the Broadband Manager shold work with local government officials and the Wyoming Association of Mnicipalities (WAM), Wyoming Conty Commissioners Associations (WCCA) and Wyoming Economic Development Association (WEDA) to encorage participation. This strategy will encorage the development of local partnerships. By sharing information across regions throgh forms and other forms of otreach, they can help local commnities develop governance strctre models and gide them throgh the process of completing projects. These stakeholders can help develop and share best practices, templates and/or model standards for key isses inclding access to rights-of-way, permitting, partnership agreements, and local small cell ordinances and franchises, which will help encorage reasonable and nondiscriminatory fees and promote timely processing. These practices will encorage deployment and offer a greater degree of certainty for providers as they plan constrction. A few ideas that might be explored by the WBC for policies related to local isses inclde: Redcing the cost of and providing eqal access to local right of way. For nserved areas and new areas of development consider a local government policy of installing dct in the right of way and making it available at a reasonable cost on an eqal access basis to carriers who are interested in serving. Cities and conties can also implement dig-once policies where providers are notified abot pcoming constrction projects and invited to install infrastrctre while the trench is open. Revamping sbdivision laws and permitting reqirements to reqire sbdivision developers to install eqal access commnications condit at a reasonable cost to providers as part of the developer s sbdivision permitting process and making it easier for commnications facilities to be placed in the tility corridor of these sbdivisions. In addition, the WBC shold review local governments and sbdivision practices which serve to exclde commnications carriers from tility corridors on the gronds that they are not viewed as a pblic tility. Standardizing permitting for towers and antennas and modifying zoning restrictions, particlarly for small cell installations, wold allow providers to make qicker pgrades to mobile and fixed wireless eqipment. Improving pole attachment policies wold help providers install services more efficiently. Working with the Wyoming State Legislatre to resolve conty road classification isses wold help providers deploy services within the rights of way withot reqiring adjacent land owner approval. This may inclde working with local governments, WAM and WCCA to develop practices and/or model standards. Working with carriers to establish provider netral locations and towers to interconnect. The WBC shold work with the local stakeholders to condct seminars and workshops to edcate local governments on these isses. Reglar meetings organized by WAM and WCCA may be effective venes to condct these workshops. WAM and WCCA may also be sed as a resorce to distribte information throgh their websites and social media channels. 15

18 Connect Roads and Emergency Facilities In 2012, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) implemented its crrent dig once policy for interstate rights of way, which ses shared resorce agreements for providers to place fiber optic condits. This agreement allows broadband providers to install infrastrctre in the highway rights of way safely and economically. In early 2018, Governor Matthew Mead asked WYDOT to evalate the best practices of other states and determine policies to facilitate private sector broadband deployment. This inclded developing a plan to work with broadband providers to facilitate the installation of condit as part of any highway constrction and other projects. WYDOT s crrent policy recommends service providers meet with them for condit and fiber expansion plans along their rights of way. In May 2018, WYDOT issed the Overview of Broadband Isses in Wyoming Report. In the report, WYDOT recommended modifying its own right-of-way policies to inclde enhanced dig once and shared resorce agreements. The agency also plans to establish a commnications plan to improve notifications abot pcoming projects and allowing opportnities for those providers to install infrastrctre dring constrction. WYDOT shold implement this recommendation in order to encorage more private investment. WYDOT also assigned its Assistant Chief Engineer for Engineering and Planning and Telecommnications Program Manager to serve as the department s Co- Ombdsmen to work with the state s Broadband Manager, Advisory Concil, broadband providers, and other state and local officials to spport efficient broadband deployment. This will be necessary to improve coordination, enhance commnication, and facilitate sccessfl resoltion of tility permitting and other isses related to broadband and telecommnications. 16 WYDOT is also pdating its policies to allow greater access for small cell sites in highway rights-ofway and on agency poles and strctres. WYDOT shold implement this strategy, which has also been recommending by several providers dring the development of this Plan. In its report, WYDOT determined that approximately 3,000 miles of highway rights of way lack condit and fiber. This right of way needs frther analysis to determine how mch of it wold be sefl to spport last mile connections to residents, bsinesses and other important locations. This may inclde prioritizing areas of the state that need infrastrctre to improve capacity and redndancy. WYDOT has recommended that the Broadband Manager and Advisory Concil assist this determination, which may inclde needs assessments, mapping spport, determining costs and developing key partnerships to help improve services. WYDOT is also the lead agency for FirstNet, which is a government/private partnership to provide broadbandbased emergency commnications network for first responders throgh its contract with AT&T. Wyoming was the second state to opt into the program and was the first state to prchase services, with approximately 150 sbscribers to date. The Wyoming portion of the FirstNet bild incldes constrcting 13 additional cell phone towers, which shold help with coverage in some rral areas of the state. WYDOT shold work with the Broadband Manager and Advisory Concil on any isses that may arise that cold help improve celllar coverage in Wyoming. Connect Anchor Instittions ETS was sccessfl in implementing the Unified Network that provides a 100 gigabit, redndant statewide network backbone. The network was bilt by partnering with broadband providers throghot the state. ETS also works with schools to obtain E-Rate fnding, which is a federal program that provides large disconts to connect eligible sites. As a reslt, school districts have gained Internet2 stats and have experienced a 40- fold increase in broadband capacity. In fact, within six years, ETS was able to deploy broadband to 48 Wyoming school districts. The network crrently provides a minimm of 200 Kbps per stdent, placing Wyoming in the highest ranking category in the contry, according to Edcation Sperhighways. ETS will be a strategic partner for the Broadband Manager and Advisory Concil to provide soltions to connect strategic locations in Wyoming. These partners shold find the best ways to leverage fnding to spport providers in bilding services to nserved commnities.

19 KEY ACTION ITEMS Form Regional Partnerships Share partnership best practices and sccess stories Improve access to condit Implement dig-once policies Inclde telecommnications in sbdivision plans Improve tower and antennae permitting Improve pole attachments Resolve conty road classification isses Connect roads and emergency facilities Contine to work with providers to install services dring constrction Coordinate with WYDOT telecommnications ombdsman Improve policies for small cell installations Prioritize highways that need telecommnications Contine to leverage partnership with FirstNet to improve services Connect Anchor Instittions Contine to leverage fnding to connect schools Connect anchor instittions to get services to nserved commnities 17

20 Remove Barriers to Deployment KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Understanding how policies impact broadband deployment is a crcial role for the WBC and the Advisory Concil. The WBC shold convene government, broadband providers and other partners to evalate crrent and proposed stattes and policies to provide feedback throgh edcation and pblic comment. They shold also engage with national indstry grops sch as USTelecom, the National Telecommnications Carriers Association (NTCA), Western Telecommnications Alliance (WTA), the Rral Wireless Association (RWA) and others so these grops are aware of how federal policies impact western states. Improve permitting Improve environmental reviews for USDA loans and grants Remove bonding reqirements Clarify cltral srvey expectations Improve tower siting 18

21 They shold coordinate with other states with less dense poplations, difficlt terrain, limited constrction seasons and large percentages of federally managed land. Involving the Wyoming Governor s Office will also be an important part of this process and ideally the WBC shold have a designated Governor s liaison that can help advocate on federal broadband isses. The Governor s Office may also consider developing a working grop to address federal barriers across diverse indstries, which wold inclde the Chairman of the Advisory Concil, Broadband Manager and/or designee from the Advisory Concil. The partners may also want to work with the Wyoming congressional delegation on pending legislative isses. WBC and its partners are crrently working with federal officials to enact policies which spport broadband development. The following isses are initial priorities for the WBC and Advisory Concil; however, these parties plan to continally identify and advocate for policies that will remove barriers and promote responsible infrastrctre deployment across federal lands. Improve Permitting Processes on Federal Lands To install broadband infrastrctre across federal lands, providers often experience delays that are the reslt of limited staffing and resorces within land management agencies. Staff working on broadband permitting projects are sally handling permits for other types of infrastrctre, creating ncertain timelines. Providers are also working with mltiple agencies and coordination among these parties can also contribte to delays. These timelines are especially problematic becase Wyoming projects involve crossing difficlt terrain dring a limited seasonal constrction period. To address these isses, Representative John Crtis (R-Utah), introdced the Rral Broadband Permitting Efficiency Act of The legislation reqires that projects be assigned a lead agency as a single point of contact. It also allows states to opt in to condct environmental review responsibilities by delegating federal environmental compliance to them. The bill is being cosponsored by nine members of Congress. If it passes, WYDOT shold participate, which cold provide more predictability in the permitting process. This participation may reqire stattory changes. The WBC and Advisory Concil shold follow this isse and work with state policy makers and the BLM on both a state and national level. They shold also encorage the Wyoming congressional delegation to spport these efforts as they move throgh Congress by edcating them on this isse and providing letters of spport as needed. Clarify Cltral Srvey Expectations As the BLM allows providers access to highway rights of way to install infrastrctre, cltral srveys are reqired to ensre that these resorces are evalated and that impacts are mitigated. The WBC, the Advisory Concil and several providers have expressed that these srveys shold be condcted in a way that respects these resorces bt does not brden broadband providers with nnecessary paperwork and mitigation. One isse that arose dring the formation of this Plan was a qestion abot how the 100 foot centerline srvey within a highway right-of-way needs to be condcted and whether it needed to be an exhastive grond srvey. This policy was clarified by the Wyoming BLM who indicated specifically how the srvey shold be condcted. The BLM also indicated that srveyors shold inform them of any cltral resorces that fall on private land that can be seen bt that srveyors are not reqired to enter private land to examine these resorces Qestions have also srfaced regarding whether projects that involve pgrading services, for example replacing copper lines with fiber, shold be considered maintenance or new constrction. This distinction has a major impact on the overall cost and analysis that is reqired by broadband providers. The Wyoming BLM office has indicated that pgrades that fall within the existing distrbance shold be treated as maintenance and pgrades that reqire widening of the existing right-of-way shold be treated as new constrction. However, there may be additional reqirements if the project area incldes resorces sch as cltral materials or endangered species, etc. Given these clarifications, the WBC and Advisory Concil shold encorage the BLM to examine these and other policies to ensre that in all sitations, providers are not reqired to srvey and mitigate areas that fall otside of the rights-of-way, have already been srveyed or will not be accessed dring constrction activities. These isses also highlight a greater need for early coordination with federal agencies. The Broadband Manager shold act as a point of contact to work with the BLM and indstry on these isses. In cases of dispte, the WBC shold work with all partners to ensre that discssions abot expectations happen early in the process so that indstry can comply with 19

22 necessary rles, while ensring that they are not overbrdened with nnecessary extra work. Providers shold also work with the Broadband Manager if they have concerns abot how rles are applied. Remove Bonding Reqirements In 2016, the Wyoming Brea of Land Management office implemented a new annal bonding reqirement for all companies who have rights-of-way on federal lands. The rle was created after damage to Wyoming BLM rights of way by nrelated indstries. The Wyoming BLM has not stated that commnication providers have cased significant damage to BLM lands, nor that they have had significant problems with commnication providers on BLM lands, bt they have implemented a reqirement that all providers post annal bonds for se of rights of way. Some providers exchanged correspondence with and met with the Wyoming BLM office to attempt to rectify this new Wyoming BLM bonding reqirement. The providers have also engaged the Wyoming congressional delegation and Wyoming Governor Mead to try to reverse this bonding reqirement for commnication facility right of way on BLM land. The BLM is evalating this isse bt a new national BLM director has not been confirmed by Congress and the existing bonding reqirement has remained in place. The WBC and Advisory Concil shold engage with the BLM both on a state and federal level to encorage the agency to remove bonding reqirements for commnications providers and deal with reclamation isses throgh fines or some other form of cost recovery if providers case significant damage to BLM lands. In the meantime, they shold recommend that the BLM stay its right-of-way bonding policy for broadband providers ntil a national policy is in effect so that Wyoming stakeholders are not sbject to reqirements that are not being mandated in other states. They shold also coordinate with commnication provider organizations in other western states to inform federal legislative representatives on these policies and their implications. reqirement creates a time brden and delays applications. These providers are spending resorces with no reasonable garantee that they will receive fnding. To resolve this isse, the Advisory Concil recommends that USDA allow providers to condct environmental reviews after the fnding is obligated as part of the conditional commitment following the obligation of federal loans or grants, bt before any fnds are dispersed. USDA shold also give applicants sfficient time to complete these reviews that are often lengthy as federal agencies have limited staffing resorces. Altering this seqence will still ensre environmental compliance bt will allow providers to apply more qickly, withot condcting nnecessary reviews if they are not awarded projects. Althogh delaying the review ntil later in the process may introdce some risk, providers can se their expertise to determine which projects may cross sensitive areas and decide when it makes sense to condct these reviews before they sbmit applications. The Natral Resorce and Energy Explorer (NREX), which was developed nder an interagency agreement between UW s Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center and the Wyoming Governor s Office, and fnded throgh the WBC, cold be tilized to help provide an initial assessment of sensitivity concerns before providers sbmit applications to permitting agencies. NREX cold also be enhanced to provide any broadband-specific data and analysis needs. The WBC and Advisory Concil shold track this environmental review isse and encorage the federal government to adopt this recommendation. Working with the Wyoming congressional delegation and sbmitting official comments when opportnities arise, sch as the comment period for the Omnibs Bill of 2018, will give Wyoming the opportnity to improve these processes for its stakeholders. Improve Federal Tower Siting Processes Access to towers is vital for both mobile and fixed wireless companies to deliver services. Many of these critical locations are managed by federal agencies and coordination with these agencies is vital to expanding services to the most remote parts of the state. Improve Environmental Review Processes for USDA Loans and Grants As broadband providers apply for USDA fnding, the agency reqires that applicants condct environmental, historical or other reviews to be considered. This 20 The WBC and Advisory Concil shold follow, recommend and spport legislation and policies that will accelerate permitting processes. They shold work with federal land management agencies and recommend shorter permitting times (preferably less than 90 days). They shold encorage local offices to be consistent in timelines and procedres. For example, some offices do not process permits concrrently which can increase time frames and introdce ncertainty.

23 KEY ACTION ITEMS Improve permitting processes on federal lands Evalate laws and policies to provide feedback and official comments Engage with trade associations, other states, Governor s Office, Congressional Delegation Spport legislation that allows WYDOT to condct environmental reviews Clarify cltral srvey expectations Coordinate early with federal agencies Encorage consistency across local federal offices Remove bonding reqirements Improve environmental review process for USDA loans and grants Improve tower siting processes 21

24 Increase Access to Fnding KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Accelerating the deployment of broadband across Wyoming will reqire additional access to fnding. The WBC shold work with federal, state and local stakeholders to identify areas eligible for fnding. The Governor s Office may also consider developing a working grop to address fnding barriers across diverse indstries, which wold inclde the Chairman of the Advisory Concil, Broadband Manager and/or designee from the Advisory Concil. Secre federal fnding Improve rral fnding models Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd Revolving loan fnd Matching Fnds Strategy Universal Service Fnd 22

25 It may also be necessary for the WBC to provide feedback on crrent fnding models so they can be more effective in accomplishing the goal of connecting all parts of the state. Secre Federal Fnding Secring federal fnding will be an important component of serving nserved and nderserved residents and bsinesses. Several federal agencies have grant, loan or sbsidy programs for infrastrctre bilds, planning, digital literacy and other broadbandrelated activities. These organizations inclde USDA, the FCC, Hosing and Urban Development (HUD), the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the National Science Fondation (NSF) and NTIA, to name a few. The WBC, Advisory Concil and local stakeholders shold work together to make potential grantees aware of programs, eligibilities and deadlines. The WBC shold tilize its website, social media, blog posts, newsletters and s to increase federal fnding tilized by its partners. The state s mapping resorces shold be sed to identify eligible areas. Federal partners shold provide trainings and report ongoing opportnities to the Advisory Concil. The WBC shold also work with state and local stakeholders to offer local trainings and technical assistance on opportnities and grant-writing practices. The state shold also consider providing fnding for a grant writer to assist in these efforts. Improve Rral Fnding Models In 2015, the FCC offered $1.7 billion to expand and spport broadband service in rral areas where market forces alone cannot not spport broadband. Dring this process, price cap carriers were given an opportnity to accept fnding on a state-by-state basis. In states, inclding Wyoming, where this fnding was not accepted, other carriers have been given the opportnity to serve these areas. Under the crrent rles, both rate-of-retrn and Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) carriers cannot se their reglar fnding models to finance bilds into these areas. This significantly crtails the ability of these rral carriers to serve cstomers of the former price cap carrier who are near the border of their stdy area. The WBC, via the Broadband Manager shold work in conjnction with the rral carriers to determine how these FCC rles limiting rral carrier federal fnding portability cold be adjsted so that carriers can serve bordering residents sing existing models, while still ensring that the new bondaries do not nintentionally leave remaining areas with no potential for ftre service. These isses are complex and shold be the topic of ongoing stdy and advocacy. In 2016, the rate-of-retrn fnding model was also pdated and rral carriers were given the opportnity to contine nder a reformed rate-of-retrn fnding model, or become A-CAM carriers. Initial feedback from some carriers has indicated that bilding to every location in a censs block is particlarly cmbersome in Wyoming becase of their size. The largest censs block is 575 sqare miles. The level of spport for these areas also has a carrier-specific Capital Investment Allowance per stdy area, even in very large censs blocks that contain extremely remote locations. Using censs blocks for fnding determinations is also problematic becase if even one location within the block is served, the entire block is considered ineligible for fnding. Since these fnding models are relatively new, ongoing stdy will be reqired to flly nderstand how effective they will be in serving rral areas within Wyoming. In addition to working with the FCC and impacted carriers, the WBC and Advisory Concil shold also work with the Wyoming congressional delegation and states with similar geography and rrality to advocate for fnding models that more closely meet the needs of rral states. Evalate the Reach of the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd Dring the 2018 legislative session, Governor Matt Mead signed into law SEA No. 0036, which provided $10 million to establish a Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd. As the program disbrses fnds, it is important that the Governor s Office and Wyoming State Legislatre nderstand how effective the crrent rles are in delivering services to nserved areas. The WBC shold provide them with a briefing after each fnding rond, inclding information on which types of projects were not fnded. This briefing will allow state policy makers to assess how well the fnd is accomplishing its goals. A few areas that may be presented inclde the nmber of projects not fnded de to monetary limitations, what types of technologies and speeds are deployed, whether the 50% match is a reasonable standard, in-kind match criteria, the effectiveness of the challenge process, verification standards, and whether the legislation and rles are creating nintended barriers to broadband deployment. 23

26 WYDOT has worked with providers to help facilitate the installation of condit, fiber and other broadband infrastrctre throghot the state highway system Incorporate Broadband into Bsiness Committed Projects The Bsiness Ready Commnity Grant and Loan Program, which is administered by the WBC provides financing for pblicly-owned infrastrctre projects to serve the needs of bsinesses and promote economic development within Wyoming commnities. Telecommnications projects are eligible nder this program; however, the nmber of applications has been consistently exceeding the program s $8 million qarterly limit. Projects are prioritized with a preference toward Bsiness Committed projects that focs on recriting bsinesses to the state. Broadband projects sally fit into the commnity development and enhancement category, which is a secondary preference. The WBC and Advisory Concil shold stdy the feasibility of increasing priority on broadband-related projects or developing a strategy to incorporate broadband into the bsiness committed projects, sch as allocating infrastrctre expansion fnds as part of those projects. Consider a Broadband Revolving Loan Fnd In addition to the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd, the WBC and Advisory Concil shold determine if a revolving loan fnd wold be a feasible tool to accelerate the deployment of Broadband in Wyoming. This strategy wold involve working with the Governor s Office and Wyoming State Legislatre to determine an appropriate fnding sorce. Obtaining commercial lending for broadband can be difficlt becase infrastrctre is not typically considered collateral. The fnd wold be a companion program to the grant and cold be sed in sitations where fnding is needed bt the applicant is not eligible for a grant. These projects may inclde fnding capital expenses in areas where there are enogh cstomers to pay back the loan within a 20-year period. The loans may also be sed as matching fnds for applicants wishing to secre other fnding. This strategy wold also allow the state to generate income for ftre bild ots. Develop a Matching Fnds Strategy Many fnding vehicles, particlarly federal programs, reqire that applicants are able to secre matching fnds. As the WBC and Advisory Concil seek to increase fnding options, they shold evalate all potential sorces and work with state and local stakeholders to better nderstand what local fnds cold be sed. Developing a master list of all potential sorces, along with eligibilities can help applicants access these fnds qickly to meeting application deadlines. State and local fnds may be potential sorces, along with monetary and in-kind matches that may be available from state agencies for projects that frther their mission. WBC and the Advisory Concil shold determine if stattory changes are necessary to frther this strategy. Engage with Wyoming Universal Service Fnd Stakeholders The Wyoming Universal Service Fnd (WUSF) was athorized by the Wyoming Telecommnications Act of 1995 (Act). The prpose of WUSF is to assist local exchange carriers providing essential local telephone services in areas of Wyoming to cstomers who mst pay relatively high rates for sch services. The Act and the fnd are schedled to snset on Jly 1, A legislative committee is crrently stdying the snset and has already reqested the preparation of a bill. Revising the state USF to fnd broadband is a very complex isse that wold reqire a lot of stdy and significant legislative review, effort and time. The WBC and Advisory Concil shold work with all carriers and other stakeholders to stdy this isse in ftre legislative interims. 24

27 KEY ACTION ITEMS Secre federal fnding Identify eligible areas Pblicize fnding availability Provide trainings and technical assistance to potential applicants Evalate the need for a state-wide grant writer and proceed as necessary Improve rral fnding models Assess impact of crrent and proposed fnding models Provide feedback and/or official comments on fnding models Evalate the reach of the Broadband Infrastrctre Grant Fnd Incorporate broadband into Bsiness Committed Projects Consider a revolving loan fnd Develop a matching fnds strategy Engage with Wyoming Universal Service Fnd stakeholders 25

28 Integrate Emerging Technologies KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Becase Wyoming has the lowest poplation density of the 48 contigos states, the WBC and Advisory Concil shold follow emerging technologies that can serve its most remote commnities and residents. Innovations in wired (fiber, cable, DSL), wireless (celllar, fixed wireless, Citizens Broadband Radio Space, TV white space, etc.), atmospheric (balloons, nmanned aerial vehicles, high altitde psedo satellites) and satellite technologies (geostationary orbit, medim elliptical, low earth orbit) shold be continally evalated to determine how they cold be incorporated into the state s ongoing plans. Leverage wired technologies Leverage wireless technologies Engage technology vendors Monitor emerging technologies 26