BbTF Minutes 03-03-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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o Can we get a map where no vertical assets exist? Current towers, proposed tower sites—Jim to provide o Can we get rep from Spectrum (RDOF), Piedmont or RiverStreet to present?(maybe 3 d meeting) ■ What areas are they going to focus on? o Schedule biweekly meetings 6:30 PM Adjourn Greene/McKee Action Items: ACTION: Provide status of known internet service providers-Jim ACTION: Make maps of unserved/underserved available on orangecountync.gov/broadband website—Jim o Map of vertical assets in unserved/underserved areas(current towers) o Map of where no vertical assets exist(proposed tower sites) ACTION:Get timeline to include with meeting notes-Jim ACTION: Establish biweekly meetings—Sally(Kadle) ACTION: Map and details of Spectrum (-1776 homes) build-out—Jeff Sural Discussion notes: Comm Greene—welcome and introductions;aware of OC broadband shortcomings State Rural Broadband (GREAT grant) Jim—history - Obama stimulus package trying to map where internet"wasn't" (2008); no good data; NC state took over franchise agreements from counties and municipalities removed ability of towns/counties to leverage relationships with vendors to provide internet to rural;State of NC legislation hasn't been friendly to govt sponsored or run internet service provider—Wilson internet was grandfathered;Comm Greene- legislature didn't want govt entities competing with commercial enterprises; advocates public utility but can't do it without law changes; - HB129 in 2011; been trying to leverage TWC—lit up downtown H'boro, Cedar Grove and some other rural areas;did a survey,weren't specific enough with questions; no one in OC was satisfied with internet service;survey led to"how do we know where to apply funding" did "wifi to go" program that started putting things on map—epiphany=>started looking at where TWC"wasn't";2016-2017 realized there are—5000 homes that were out of TWC service area. Telecom companies were guarded about customer info. 2017 BOCC granted $500k for broadband pilot advertised— only 5 applied,only 2 were in the running and OpenBB won;spent$255k with OpenBB; service per resident is—$1000/household. COVID came,two vendors came forward—both said can get 150 residents lit up in 18 months; RiverStreet was one of vendors but preliminary service would be wireless(like OpenBB) - Terri-OpenBB can't get height to erect towers - Jeff Sural—funding options available at state and federal level;a lot going on—both federal (FCC— primary funding and regulatory oversight); internet has specific exemption from regulation; FCC"light touch" regulation of internet; 7 billion for broadband last year;$300million coming from Dept of Commerce;$2billion for low income families; USDA has 2 programs—invested $75 million in various counties;#of initiatives in general assembly;Governor's budget coming out with significant broadband funding - RDOF funding(FCC)—Spectrum has identified—1776 homes(of 5000)to provide fiber to; $16billion available for unserved areas; 6 year buildout;Charter will survey;Jeff will provide map and details - May want to have Charter present to Task Force; State of NC has questions of concern regarding Charter plan—not sure they can deliver what was promised; Charter received$255k to connect 1776 homes; - Todd—please share maps;any online versions with more granular details?;yes,some maps on county broadband site;Jim will share newest map from Jeff;fiber costs$15/ft in the ground (cheaper when it's in the air) - Next steps—how often to meet and how long should meetings last? No deadline to submit report to BOCC. Jim/Travis—when should report be submitted? Travis—between 4-6 months; maybe establish bi- weekly meetings Weds at 5:30 for next couple of months