NTIA’s third Broadband Brief, published in November 2013, explores broadband availability in the workplace, focusing on the manufacturing and information sectors. While the manufacturing and information sectors both represent important segments of the US economy, manufacturing jobs tend to be concentrated in rural areas and have access to lower broadband speeds, while information jobs tend to be concentrated in urban areas and have access to higher broadband speeds.

Using five categories of analysis, based on degrees of urbanization, the report looks at differences in broadband availability in the workplace across the rural-urban continuum. Findings include:

Broadband speeds increased across all geographies and all sectors between June 2011 and June 2012

Nearly all jobs are now located in an area with at least basic broadband access (3mbps download, 768kbps upload)

50 percent of jobs are located in areas with download speeds of 100mbps

Jobs in very rural areas (11 residents or 2 jobs per square miles) were less likely to have access to higher broadband speeds, with only one-third of businesses having access to download speeds of 50mpbs or higher

Even with significant increases in speed availability, manufacturing jobs remain less likely to have access to higher broadband speeds

Previous Broadband Briefs have explored broadband availability and the rural/urban divide by community typology.

New Maps Now Posted! – skbroadband

New broadband maps are now posted!  Broadband service, speed, and maximum adverstised download and upload speed maps are available at both the state and regional levels. MoBroadbandNow has regularly developed statewide broadband service maps since 2010. New maps are produced and published at six month intervals.

Statewide_HighSpeed

These current maps reflect the eigth round of data collection and reflect data current as of June 30, 2013.  Currently there are over 120 participating Internet Service Providers.

Be sure to visit the MoBroadbandNow Interactive Map to learn more about providers and broadband availability in your area.

Pew Internet Report Examines Who is Not Online and Why – skbroadband

A new report from the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project examines why Americans who do not currently use the Internet choose not to.  The report — “Who’s not Online and Why” — finds that of American adults, ages 18 and older, 15 percent do not use the Internet at all.  An additional 9 percent of American adults use the Internet, though not at home.

The most common reason cited for not using the Internet is that non-adopters do not think that the Internet is relevant to them (34 percent) and the second most common reason cited for not using the Internet is that the Internet is difficult to use (32 percent). Cost of a computer or Internet connection were third (19 percent)

Of Internet non-adopters, 92 percent indicated that they are not interested in starting to use the Internet, while only 8 percent indicated an interest in starting to use the Internet or email

63 percent of Internet non-adopters indicate that they would need assistance to start using the Internet

Are you a Missouri Business? Take the MoBroadbandNow Business Survey! – skbroadband

Are you a Missouri business?  If so, we want to hear from you about your Internet usage and needs.  Take the MoBroadbandNow business survey by following this link.

The survey will take 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Survey responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported as part of the larger group.

Stop by and see MoBroadbandNow at the Missouri State Fair! – skbroadband

Be sure to stop by and see MoBroadbandNow in the University of Missouri Building at the Missouri State Fair this week in Sedalia!  Fill out a short survey on Internet access, add your pin to the map, and get a free scoop of Buck’s Ice Cream!

Updated Missouri Interactive Broadband Map Launched – skbroadband

MoBroadbandNow has launched an updated version of the Missouri Interactive Broadband Map.

After carefully considering comments and suggestions from both Missouri residents and broadband providers, MoBroadbandNow has rebuilt the Missouri Interactive Broadband Map to be a much simpler, more streamlined experience that focuses exclusively on serving up data directly related to broadband availability.  Missourians looking for potential broadband service will find that the Interactive Map now identifies broadband providers by county, rather than by census block.

In addition to the relaunch of the Interactive Map, MoBroadbandNow has also redesigned the static maps offered on this site.  The High Speed and Broadband Service maps that have previously been available for download are now easier to read and more structurally consistent.  MoBroadbandNow has also officially deployed two new map series – Maximum Advertised Download Speeds and Maximum Advertised Upload Speeds – that display broadband download and upload speeds independent of one another.

Take some time to explore the map and learn more about broadband technologies and provider options in your area!

Governor Nixon attends broadband “light up” for United Electric – skbroadband

Gov. Jay Nixon today visited United Electric Cooperative in Savannah (Andrew County) to highlight the success of Missouri’s public-private partnership in expanding broadband. United Electric, a MoBroadbandNow partner, has installed 1,230 fiber miles throughout the six counties it serves in northwest Missouri.  Over 5,500 homes will now have access to high-speed service.  The $21 million last-mile project will reach 99% of its service area when completed in September compared with only 38% of homes served with broadband in 2010.

In addition, TDS Telecom announced completion of another MoBroadbandNow infrastructure project in Orchard Farm (St. Charles County).  The project will provide another 150 homes with broadband coverage.

New NTIA Broadband Resources – skbroadband

A recently released NTIA report and two new webinars provide additional resources on broadband access, adoption and digital literacy.

“Exploring the Digital Nation: America’s Emerging Online Experience,” a report published in June 2013, examines adoption, reasons for non-adoption, and what Americans do online.

“C2C Update and DigitalLearn.org: Promoting Broadband Adoption and Digital Literacy Training and Support,” a webinar hosted on June 25, examines the Connect2Compete program and EveryoneOn campaign and the new DigitalLearn.org resource.

Rural Affinity Group: State Planning and Collaboration for Rural Broadband Development, a webinar hosted on June 27, provides information on the National Broadband Map and the Connecting America’s Communities Map and focuses on planning efforts in Utah, South Dakota, and Washington.