Broadband Infrastructure Research Articles

Exploring geographic disparities in broadband access and use in rural southern Illinois: Who's being left behind?

Abstract Recent literature about broadband telecommunications reveals two major areas that are not only globally gaining prominence, but are also demanding urgent attention from a research perspective. One of the key areas is related to the need to spatially evaluate the availability and deployment of broadband services, especially among urban versus rural communities. Another area of interest falls under the need for enabling broadband policies and strategies that address existing geographic disparities. These motivating factors shaped this research and provided a basis for defining three specific objectives, namely: (1) to identify locations with or without broadband access, (2) to identify underserved rural and inner-city markets, and (3) to determine whether university and community college towns can be used in the adoption and dispersion of broadband technologies in southern Illinois. Supply-side and demand-side data were collected and inputted into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Supply-side data included cable modem, digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless, and fiber optic lines, while demand data included reported broadband requests from individuals without access (n = 439), students (n = 45,866), and higher education workforce (n = 5419). Using the GIS and statistical techniques, insightful maps of broadband infrastructure were created to illustrate areas of supply and demand so that governments and businesses can address existing gaps in consumer needs. Specifically, different levels of broadband access and use were mapped; different under-served rural and inner-city markets were identified so as to emphasize the dramatic economic impact on the business opportunities available to small business entrepreneurs. Also, different geographies of use and accessibility of broadband connectivity in the study region were synthesized to support decision-making. The resulting maps provided supply and demand marketing intelligence based on the geographic analyses of residential and enterprise sectors. These data can be used as a model to develop specific policy recommendations for a knowledge-based economy, specifically for the southern Illinois region or other rural communities in the United States.

The Economic Impact Of Broadband: Estimates From A Regional Input-Output Model

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Like good roads, schools, and hospitals, cutting-edge broadband infrastructure is crucial to economic development and to the quality of life of local communities. Second-generation broadband (SGB), capable of supporting video, voice and data services simultaneously over a fiber-optic infrastructure, can provide users not merely faster internet connectivity, but a whole array of applications and communication services. This study provides an approach to quantifying the economic effects of first and second generation broadband availability in Hamilton County (TN) using an IMPLAN model. We find that household broadband expenditures over the period 2001-2005 supported 548 jobs and contributed $109.8 million in income and taxes to Hamilton County. Further, we estimate that while a new fiber-to-the-home project would cost $195.5 million over ten years, the economic impact of such a project would result in income and taxes exceeding $352 million while creating over 2,600 new jobs. <span class="hw">We conclude that </span>Hamilton County would benefit from the adoption of this technology. </span></span></p>

Building community broadband: Barriers and opportunities for community-based organizations in the federal BTOP and BIP broadband development programs

Despite $7.2 billion of recent federal investments in broadband infrastructure through the Broadband Technology Opportunities and Broadband Initiatives Programs (BTOP and BIP), questions around the effectiveness of such national-scale initiatives at the local level remain. Drawing on ethnographic interviews, observation, and documentary evidence, this paper charts the experience of twenty-seven grassroots and community-based organizations (CBOs) from around the country that have engaged the BTOP and BIP process. We explore the challenges CBOs have faced in initiating, developing partnerships, and executing BTOP and BIP grant applications. We find that CBOs often struggled to define the effective scope of potential BTOP projects; to align these with traditional organizational goals; to develop effective project partnerships, including with larger and more institutionalized partners; and to meet the formal evaluation, reporting, and management requirements of a large-scale and sensitive federal program. Despite these barriers, several community-based organizations have engaged in successful BTOP and BIP applications, which are now moving into operational stage. This paper documents these experiences, and concludes with recommendations for reform of the BTOP, BIP, or possible successor programs that could improve the inclusion and effectiveness of community-based organizations as agents of broadband development and social change.

Investment in telecommunications infrastructure, growth and employment recent research

Telecommunications investment has been identified as having a strong potential to spur economic growth and create employment. Investments in telecommunications infrastructure could not only provide a short-term boost to the economy, but also lay the groundwork for long-term improved growth and employment perspectives. Indeed, research findings indicate telecom investment has an impact far beyond the scope of the industry itself, promoting growth in adjacent industries and creating new industries. This paper outlines the most important studies and their key findings. It covers ICT productivity studies, econometric studies analysing the relationship between broadband infrastructure and economic development, and ‘forward looking’ studies estimating the multiplier effects of telecom investments. Most evidence indicates a strong and robust positive relationship between telecom investment and both, economic growth and employment. These results confirm investments in digital infrastructure may significantly contribute to improve long-term growth prospects.

The Geopolitics of Energy Supply in the ‘Wider Europe’

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank the anonymous referees for their constructive feedback and helpful comments on the articles included in this special section. The contributions to this section have emerged from a workshop that took place on 19–20 September 2007 at the University of Glasgow on the ‘Security of Energy Supply in the New Europe – A Challenge for the European Neighbourhood Policy?’. The workshop was co-organised by Valentina Feklyunina and Anke Schmidt-Felzmann and was generously funded by the University Association of Contemporary European Studies (UACES), the Department of Politics and the Faculty of Law, Business & Social Sciences of the University of Glasgow, the Scottish Jean Monnet Centre and the Centre for Russian, Central & East European Studies (CRCEES). Notes 1. Commission of the European Communities, ‘Towards a European Strategy for the security of energy supply’, Green Paper (Brussels: Commission of the European Communities 2001) p. 22. 2. Ibid., p. 3. 3. P. Roberts, ‘The Undeclared Oil War’, Washington Post, 28 June 2004. 4. The Union's (and thus the Commission's) competences over energy policy will increase following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty which turns energy policy into an area of ‘shared competences’, see Article 176 A of the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union (TFEU). 5. B. Ferrero-Waldner, quoted in ‘Commission of the European Communities, Securing Your Energy Future: Commission Presents Energy Security, Solidarity and Efficiency Proposals’, Press Release (Brussels 2008), IP/08/1696, p. 1. 6. Commission of the European Communities, ‘On the Development of Energy Policy for the Enlarged European Union, its Neighbours and Partner Countries’, Communication (26 May 2003) COM 2003 262 final, p. 18. 7. Commission of the European Communities, ‘Towards a Secure, Sustainable and Competitive European Energy Network’, Green Paper (13 Nov. 2008) COM 2008 782 final. 8. Commission of the European Communities, ‘The Commission Proposes €5 Billion New Investment in Energy and Internet Broadband Infrastructure in 2009–2010, in Support of the EU Recovery Plan’ (28 Jan. 2009) IP/09/142, p. 1. 9. Commission of the European Communities, ‘Secure, Sustainable and Competitive’ (note 7). 10. ‘Commission to Outline New Energy Action Plan’, EurActiv, 6 April 2010, p. 1. 11. With the notable exception of the Special Issue edited by D. Averre, ‘The EU, Russia and the Shared Neighbourhood: Security, Governance and Energy’, European Security 19/4 (2010) pp. 531–534, as well as the studies by S. Wood, ‘Europe's Energy Politics’, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 18/3 (2010) pp. 307–322; S. C. Park and D. Eissel ‘Alternative Energy Policies in Germany with Particular Reference to Solar Energy’, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 18/3 (2010) pp. 323–339; and M. Neuman, ‘EU-Russian Energy Relations after the 2004/2007 EU Enlargement: An EU Perspective’, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 18/3 (2010) pp. 341–360. 12. See e.g. S. Padgett, ‘The Single European Market: The Politics of Realization’, Journal of Common Market Studies, 30/1 (1992) pp. 53–76; F. Aschea, P. Osmundsen, R. Tveterås, ‘European Market Integration for Gas? Volume Flexibility and Political Risk’, Energy Economics 24/3 (2002) pp. 249–265; J. P. Stern, ‘Security of European Natural Gas Supplies: The Impact of Import Dependence and Liberalization’, Royal Institute of Internal Affairs Sustainable Development Programme (London 2002). 13. A. F. Correlje and C. van der Linde, ‘Energy Supply Security and Geopolitics: A European Perspective’, Energy Policy, 34/5 (2005) p. 532. 14. With the exception of the recent work on EU-Russia energy relations. See for example: S. J. Lussac, ‘Ensuring European Energy Security in Russian ‘Near Abroad’: The Case of the South Caucasus’, European Security 19/4 (2010) pp. 607–625; D. Bozhilova and T. Hashimoto, ‘EU-Russia Energy Negotiations: A Choice Between Rational Self-interest and Collective Action’, European Security 19/4 (2010) pp. 627–642; O. Pardo Sierra, ‘A Corridor through Thorns: EU Energy Security and the Southern Energy Corridor’, European Security 19/4 (2010) pp. 643–660; N. Kaveshnikov ‘The Issue of Energy Security in Relations between Russia and the European Union’, European Security 19/4 (2010) pp. 585–605. 15. See e.g. G. Bahgat, ‘Europe's Energy Security. Challenges and Opportunities’, International Affairs 82/5 (2006) pp. 961–976; V. Constantini, F. Gracceva, A. Markandya and G. Vicini, ‘Security of Energy Supply: Comparing Scenarios from a European Perspective’, Energy Policy 35/1 (2007) pp. 210–226; D. Yergin, ‘Ensuring Energy Security’, Foreign Affairs 85/2 (March/April 2006) pp. 69–75. 16. For a study on this topic see M. Natorski and A. Herranz Surrallés, ‘Securitisation Moves to Nowhere? The Framing of the European Union's Energy Policy’, Journal of Contemporary European Research 4/2 (June 2008).

Alternatives of Public Policies to Deploy Universal Fixed Broadband Infrastructure: Analysis of the Options Considered in Brazil

Almost twelve years ago, telecommunications market in Brazil went through deregulation and privatization processes. Since then, it has been operated solely by private-owned companies. This model, combined with lack of directive policies and absence of real competition, led to high price and low density of all telecommunications services, a scenario where broadband access is a particular case. This paper examines the three options considered in the country to face these problems. First, a state-owned company, using existing optical fibers from other utilities companies, is supposed to offer broadband access directly to both consumer and carrier segments, competing with existing providers. It would assure the infrastructure to be available at poor and remote areas and would also attract local providers, whose investment would reduce the need for public resources, helping government to focus on the most vulnerable population. Alternatively, a public-private partnership (PPP), transferring this infrastructure to a new or existing private competitor, would promote competition and, therefore, lower prices and improve broadband density. The final option, supported mainly by private providers, is to maintain the existing private model: it may be possible to obtain universal access with funds provided by public resources and prices could drop if taxes were cut.

Delivering services over next generation broadband networks

Investment in 'next generation' (very high speed) broadband infrastructure is expected to enable access to services that will provide citizens with social and economic benefits. Developing services for access using broadband infrastructure can be quite complicated however. This paper explores how services can be delivered over broadband network infrastructure, outlining four broad categories of access devices, three service delivery platforms and two types of networks. Using Australian data, the paper explores user behaviours and expectations around service delivery, illustrating the need for diversity and choice of service offerings. It also notes the importance of mobile services, and makes the case that wireless broadband connectivity should be part of a national broadband infrastructure. Copyright 2010 Catherine Middleton. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.

Delivering services over next generation broadband networks: exploring devices, applications and networks

Investment in 'next generation' (very high speed) broadband infrastructure is expected to enable access to services that will provide citizens with social and economic benefits. Developing services for access using broadband infrastructure can be quite complicated however. This paper explores how services can be delivered over broadband network infrastructure, outlining four broad categories of access devices, three service delivery platforms and two types of networks. Using Australian data, the paper explores user behaviours and expectations around service delivery, illustrating the need for diversity and choice of service offerings. It also notes the importance of mobile services, and makes the case that wireless broadband connectivity should be part of a national broadband infrastructure. Copyright 2010 Catherine Middleton. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.

Indoor High-Bandwidth Optical Wireless Links for Sensor Networks

Emergence of sensor networks for data-procurement in wide-ranging applications, including defense, medical, environmental and structural health monitoring, has led to development of low-power miniature devices employing radio frequency (RF) communications. In contrast to RF, optical devices are smaller and consume less power; reflection, diffraction, and scattering from aerosols help distribute signal over large areas; and optical wireless provides freedom from interference and eavesdropping within an opaque enclosure. Optics can accommodate high-bandwidth transmission of multimedia in aircrafts, where RF is shunned due to interference with control signals. These motivate use of optical wireless as a mode of communication in sensor networks. We have set up and experimented on an infrared laser transceiver test-bed with ceiling used as reflector to establish an intensity-modulated/direct-detected (IM/DD) link. Frequency measurements are conducted to characterize the link up to 1 GHz, and are transformed to obtain impulse responses and eye diagrams. These experimental findings demonstrate the capability of indoor optical wireless links of delivering 1 gigabit per second and beyond, without intersymbol interference. Thus, a broadband infrastructure can be deployed allowing high-quality audio-visual data communication among sensor nodes.

The impact of rural broadband development: Lessons from a natural field experiment

Abstract Significant public investments in rural broadband internet service authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act raise new questions regarding the impacts of broadband on rural residents and communities. The results of a natural field experiment involving broadband internet projects funded by the Community Connect program of the Rural Utilities Service are reviewed here to provide a context for future evaluations of the effects of broadband infrastructure deployment and efforts to stimulate sustainable broadband use in rural areas. Based on pre–post surveys conducted in four communities in 2005 and 2008, the implementation of broadband infrastructure grants increased broadband adoption, although penetration also increased where a grant was awarded but later terminated. Public education efforts in a community participating in the ConnectKentucky initiative had an incremental effect on broadband adoption by positively affecting residents' perceptions of broadband service. Impacts on individual economic development activities and community satisfaction were not found. Implications for rural broadband initiatives and future evaluations of their effects are drawn.

Network Neutrality Law and Access to Broadband Services in Nigeria

2010, Nigeria; the International Internet Connectivity (ICC) is currently dominated by three major players providing bandwidth access on a wholesale and retail basis to the Nigerian end users. These players are the state owned Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) providing access via the SAT-1 submarine cable, Glo through the GLO-1 submarine cable and MainOne Cable company via the MainOne submarine cable, of these cables, only the GLO-1 and MainOne submarine cables have broadband (or high speed) internet access capability. In recent times, global policy issues on broadband internet access have focused on network neutrality, that is whether broadband network operators should be allowed to favor (or as is emotionally argued; discriminate) one data traffic over another one that passes through its network.This is the main thrust of this paper. Arguments in support of network neutrality have tended to lean towards the belief that discriminating data traffic is anti-consumer and may be capable having an anti-competitive effect under certain conditions. With the current expansion of internet services in Nigeria and particularly the current investment in broadband infrastructure, the need arises to revisit the issue of network neutrality in the Nigerian context. In considering the question of network neutrality, guidance is sought from the Nigeria Communications Act 2003 (NCA) and the relevant regulations made under the Act.

Farming and the Internet: Reasons for Non-Use

Rural broadband infrastructure and service has received a significant amount of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds should increase broadband availability, but will broadband be used in rural areas and in particular by farmers? This paper uses Agricultural Resource Management Survey data to investigate why the majority of U.S. farmers choose not to use the Internet in their farm business. Although frequently cited by policymakers, concerns about inadequate Internet service or security actually account for a small percentage of responses. This research identifies targeted educational programs that focus on alleviating perceived barriers to Internet use.

An exploration of user-generated wireless broadband infrastructures in digital cities

This paper examines the broadband connectivity options available in digital cities. It offers an overview of services provided by commercial operators, the public sector and by citizens themselves, arguing that shortcomings in existing fixed broadband and commercial mobile broadband services provide an opportunity for citizens to share their own wireless broadband connections. It explores Wi-Fi hotspot provider FON’s approach to extending mobile broadband infrastructure by enabling shared connections within communities. The paper outlines some reasons why this specific user-generated approach to infrastructure provision has been unable to deliver highly robust broadband infrastructure, and discusses ways in which users and the public sector can be involved in developing new mobile infrastructures that will meet citizens’ needs.

Public private partnerships as a tool for stimulating investments in broadband

The paper is concerned with PPP in the telecommunications area and more specifically with the combination of public and private investments in upgrading broadband infrastructures. Following the liberalization of the telecommunications area, investments were primarily left to the private sector – though public investments have continued to take place in specific areas such as research and education networks and rural and otherwise underserved areas. Lately, however, governments have upgraded their public investment plans in broadband infrastructures. The question is whether we are witnessing a simple quantitative change or whether this quantitative change includes a qualitative evolvement in the view on the role of the public sector in expanding broadband infrastructures. At the present time, the most likely answer is that increasing public investments in broadband infrastructures signal a combination of concerns raised by the economic crisis and the growing awareness of the social and economic importance of efficient broadband infrastructures.

Learning processes in municipal broadband projects: An absorptive capacity perspective

Effective knowledge management is important to the success of information technology projects. This research applies the integrated lens of the absorptive capacity theory and the social process model of information system development projects to examine the dynamic of knowledge activities concerning broadband infrastructure development in the context of municipal broadband networks. The research questions are: (1) What is the extent of the dynamic of knowledge activities involved in the development process?, (2) What are the events that trigger knowledge activities in municipal broadband development?, and (3) How does a city create and utilize new knowledge in the development process? This study examines municipal wireless projects in three cities (Chaska, MN; Hermosa Beach, CA; and Fredericton, Canada). Events that trigger knowledge activities are assignment of personnel, physical system construction, performance problems, resistance, and reassignment of organizational roles. Four factors that influence knowledge activities and project performance are the dynamic of technology development, partnership commitments, limitation of external knowledge and learning-by-doing, and political dynamics. The study has policy implications for cities that are in the process of planning and deployment. A good project planning, user expectation management, systematic performance evaluation, a careful partner selection process, and the use of service level agreements are important to project success. In addition, cities need to take into consideration that the technology is not a plug and play technology and that considerable efforts are needed to integrate the technology with other solutions to deliver broadband services as well as to configure the system according to topologies, street conditions, buildings, density of trees, among others.

Broadband Infrastructure: The Regulatory Framework, Market Transparency and Risk-Sharing Partnerships are the Key Factors

Around the globe countries are attempting to forge ahead with the expansion and upgrading of advanced communications networks. In most cases they are setting very ambitious goals with regard to technology and coverage. However, the specific cost structure for broadband projects results in the private-sector-driven, competitive market for network upgrading being primarily focused on densely populated urban areas. By contrast, major progress in rolling out broadband to unserved rural areas will not be made in the foreseeable future without state subsidies. Without having to steer a course towards the return of a monopoly in the telecommunications sector, which would have a detrimental long-term impact, the public sector can in this situation promote sustainable progress in telecommunication by merging projects, entering into risk-sharing partnerships, setting realistic broadband targets, providing essential market information to market participants, offering e-government digital services itself and, on top of that, further enhancing investment incentives with a regulatory framework in a competitive environment.

A business model for municipal FTTH/B networks: the case of rural Greece

PurposeIn recent years, many municipalities have made investments in fiber to the home/building (FTTH/B) infrastructures to enhance the digital future of their local communities. This paper aims to propose a business model for managing these municipal FTTH/B networks. The paper also seeks to form a part of the discussion on the business, social and policy implications of municipal involvement in physical broadband infrastructures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the international experience in municipal FTTH projects and identifies the best practices. Greece is then used as a case study due to the country's strategic plans to create efficient broadband infrastructures in the periphery of the country. Finally, the municipal business model is examined on three premises: the extent of horizontal integration; the degree of vertical integration; and the appropriate form of ownership.FindingsThe passive infrastructure model applied within the model presented has strong potentials to ensure fair and open competition. The proposed business model exhibits substantial benefits for the telecommunications industry, the local communities and the managing company. It could become an effective policy tool for future regulation, broadband universal service framework, socially optimal investments and social inclusion.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the international debates regarding the adoption of the “highway” model (“open access”) versus “vertical integration” and the suitability of public‐private partnership (PPP) as a method for developing and operating FTTH/B networks. It also contributes to the discussion about the implications of the public sector's involvement in broadband infrastructure development.

Broadband infrastructure investment in stimulus packages: relevance for developing countries

PurposeReviewing a dozen of fiscal stimulus packages in developed countries, this paper analyzes one common strategy that has found widespread support in these stimulus packages and its relevance for developing countries: investing in broadband and next‐generation networks, as a counter‐cyclical tool to create jobs and provide the foundation for economic recovery and long‐term sustained growth.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at the various impacts broadband investment is expected to have: short‐term job creation and aggregate demand effects, and long‐term productive activities in other sectors of the economy. Moreover, broadband investment is more fiscally sound than other public spending stimulus options, in the sense of coming closer to, or in some cases actually being, self‐financing.FindingsSeveral factors highlight the potential of broadband infrastructure as an important area of public investment during economic downturn, an option also open to policymakers in developing countries. Spending initiatives on next‐generation telecommunications networks at a time when labor market conditions are particularly weak can help preserve jobs and head off a potential burden on social safety nets. Bringing forward longer‐term aggregate spillover effects of broadband can improve the productivity of the entire economy and is consistent with enhancing longer‐run growth and development. Public support also “crowds in” private investment when access to private financing is decreasing and more expensive.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies with a focus on the emerging broadband network, its impact on economy and the role of the public sector in rolling out next‐generation networks, during economic downturn and in general. A detailed summary of broadband initiatives in more than a dozen developed countries is provided in the paper.

Level of Access and Competition in Broadband Markets

In this paper, we consider an unregulated incumbent who owns a broadband infrastructure and decides on how much access to provide to a potential entrant. The level of access, i.e., the network elements that are shared in the provision of competing broadband services, not only determines the amount of investment the entrant needs to undertake to enter the market, but also the intensity of post-entry competition. We consider an access scheme that determines an access level and an associated two-part tariff. We show that the equilibrium level of access is higher when the sensitivity of product differentiation to the level of access is lower, and when the marginal investment cost is higher. We also show that the unregulated incumbent sets a suboptimally low (high) level of access if the degree of service differentiation is sufficiently high (low).

Integrative public leadership: Catalyzing collaboration to create public value

Integrative public leadership is a process of developing partnerships across organizational, sectoral and/or jurisdictional boundaries that create public value. This paper explores the concept in the context of the literature and illustrates some salient features of integrative public leadership through three cases involving extensive multi-sector collaboration in the western (Smoky Mountain) region of North Carolina. The cases are different in subject matter—sewer lines to a rural community, broadband infrastructure across a network of rural schools and colleges, and a major environmental preservation effort—but they all share some key elements. Leadership in each case is enacted through structure, process, and people. Boundary organizations provide a structural context for partnership development; boundary experiences and boundary objects serve to bridge differences and create a common purpose; and boundary spanners exhibit entrepreneurial qualities and leverage relationship capital in order to facilitate integration.