CETF Funded Regional Broadband Planning Projects
Template Documents

This index is comprised of documents from two California Emerging Technology Fund Broadband Planning Projects: the Central Coast Broadband Consortium (CCBC) and the Sacramento Region Broadband Project (SRBP). The CCBC used a collaborative approach where as the SRBP created a scoping study. These two methods were chosen by the regional champions as the most effective processes for their regions. The attachments are intended to be guidelines for regions who are investigating the most appropriate approach to planning their own regional broadband planning project in partnership with the CETF. Please use them appropriately. See below for the template documents.

Example # 1: COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
The Central Coast approached their broadband action plan by creating a consortia composed of business leaders, schools, healthcare, local government and volunteers. Through collaboration they created a planning process that was comprised of three Work Groups addressed the access gaps in their area. Below you will find documents that were created from their consortia collaborations as well as the final report.

1.1 This Power Point overviews the Central Coast Broadband Collaborative process. It chronologically outlines how the Collaborative was composed, who was involved, how and when funding was received, as well as the final outcomes.

1.2 This Work Plan outlines the creation of the Central Coast Broadband Collaborative, recommendations for the operating and governance structure, and the work plan. It includes a feasibility study of gaps in broadband infrastructure and identification of priorities and strategies to address critical gaps in the area’s broadband infrastructure.  

1.3 The CCBC used this Gap Analysis Chart to analyze the region’s broadband status within their region. Through this diagnostic tool, the consortium was able to determine what the region’s broadband improvement priorities were.

1.4 This outlines what the CCBC identified as the region’s key gaps in connectivity. It addresses underserved areas and/or populations; sectoral and geographic representation; economic development potential; potential funding sources/leveraging; and potential for multiple impacts of enhancing broadband resources.

1.5 This sample letter from a community partner stating their interest of hosting the Central Coast Broadband Collaborative. It outlines how the host’s mission aligns with the vision and the work of the consortium and what resources they could contribute to the CCBC.

1.6 Sample CETF/CCBC meeting agenda.

1.7 Sample of a CCBC meeting summary which was comprised of presentations from three telecommunications and technology leaders. They provided an overview of the state of the industry and served as resource experts when the participants broke into workgroups to review the consortia’s progress, consider prevalent issues, the technology leaders helped identify next steps.

1.8 This is the final CCBC broadband paper. It summarizes the results of the planning process, including the deliverables and recommendations of the three Work Groups. These include completion and application of a rubric to identify and support priority projects through funding proposals and other means – especially those to reach underserved communities and individuals. Completion of an inventory and analysis of network resources to identify additional priorities for expanding network access and use; and creation of an information and resources clearinghouse as a community-wide asset.
 
EXAMPLE# 2:  SCOPING STUDY APPROACH
The Sacramento Regional Broadband Project was managed by Valley Vision and co-consultant Applied Development Economics, who created a Broadband Scoping Project. Experts analyzed the capital region’s broadband infrastructure status through holding stakeholder meetings augmented by best practices research. The results of this process were then published in a final report that can be found at the end of this index; plus the mobilization of a wide range of broadband interest for action.

2.1 This Power Point reviews the process of the Sacramento Regional Broadband Project. It reviews the methods used as well as the findings that were generated from the process.

2.2 This document was provided at the focus group meetings to explain who the founders of the projects were, and some of their shared goals for broadband improvement in the Sacramento region.

2.3 This invitation was sent to regional leaders to invite them to participate in an information identify rural access opportunities for the Sacramento region.

2.4 Sample Sacramento Regional Broadband Project Meeting Agenda outlining the facilitation plan and the prompt questions used to address the issue of “Bridging the Digital Divide”.
 
2.5 Sample meeting minutes from the ‘enterprising’ scoping study meeting.

2.6 Final Report of the Sacramento Regional Broadband Project reflects the findings and conclusions of the project. The document includes an overview, the study methods and the results. The Scoping Study identified three building blocks; 1) infrastructure–deploying physical infrastructure and networks for mobile fixed technologies, 2) access–mobile fixed access to broadband services, and 3) use–deploying a variety of physical infrastructure assets and technologies for fixed and mobile broadband services and applications, and fostering awareness and skills to drive adoption and benefits.  The next steps for Sacramento’s Broadband Planning Project are based on these findings.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR YOUR BROADBAND PLAN PROJECT:

3.1 This Key Leaders Invite Letter invites guest to join your regional consortia and outlines some of the key issues regarding broadband gaps in California.

3.2 Prototype Budget that projects a consortia budget as well as a timetable to launch, root and achieve sustainability of an urban regional broadband consortium.

Contact:
For more information, please contact Tara Thronson at (916) 325-1630 or Tara.Thronson@valleyvision.org