Rural anchor institution broadband connectivity

Abstract

This paper presents findings from two research projects that entail needs assessments, benchmarking, and onsite diagnostics of anchor institutions in support of multi-million dollar broadband middle mile projects funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The research employs a multi-method approach that includes a web-based survey, focus groups, and onsite diagnostics at selected anchor institutions in rural Florida. Findings indicate that anchor institution broadband adoption is impacted by a host of situational factors, both enablers and barriers, and that understanding the enablers and barriers to broadband adoption in anchor institutions is critical to achieving widespread broadband adoption. The findings also lead to a proposed model of community-based broadband planning through which multiple anchor institutions in a community join together to plan for, develop, implement, and assess broadband deployment and adoption in their community.