Connecting Rural Indiana 2008 Policy-Programs-Progress Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor David Stippler Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor 317-233-3232.

Connecting Rural Indiana 2008 Policy-Programs-Progress

Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor

David Stippler

Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor

317-233-3232 [email protected]


“Broadband deployment helps build economic development and business growth in Indiana, especially

in our small cities and towns. A strong telecommunications infrastructure in our state will keep us competitive in today’s global marketplace.”

Becky SkillmanLieutenant Governor, State of Indiana


- Post HB1279 -- Market forces continue to work; consumers want it and providers are deploying the service. Significant increase in providers since passage of deregulation. OUCC able to track 25% more wireless broadband providers since

2007.

- Latest FCC reports also support OUCC conclusions that market forces are working.

Broadband Deployment continues to expand in our state


- Technology allows consumers/small business to connect through coaxial cable modems Typical speeds from 512 KBps to 1.5 MBps; Biggest problem today is fluctuating speed – the more usage, the

slower the connection speed for each customer. Companies are switching from coax and upgrading to all-digital networks – FTTH and Next Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) – to offer full packages of service in response to competition and consumer demand

- Availability throughout state fairly ubiquitous, particularly in the east central and northeast parts of Indiana

Cable Industry Evolving


- Digital Subscriber Line -- According to INdiana INterconnect, DSL is available in Indiana’s populated areas Limited to consumers/business within @18,000 ft of the Central Office

(CO). Past 12,000ft – line quality and other factors may inhibit speed. Next generation DSL offers 25Mbps speeds while very high-speed

asymmetrical systems can achieve 100 Mbps within a few hundred feet of the CO.

- AT&T, Verizon, and Embarq deployed extensive DSL networks in rural areas as a result of pre-HB1279 Alternative Regulatory Plans under IURC jurisdiction.

DSL Near Term Future Steady


- Continues to be a panacea for rural broadband connectivity Operating in the licensed and unlicensed spectrums Capable of speeds from 3 MBps to 11 MBps Licensed wireless providers can reach 82% of U.S. population and

almost 100% of Indiana population, offering viable competition to unlicensed providers.

- Unlicensed provider deployments continue and new providers continue to appear, especially in southern Indiana.

- Wi-Fi hotspots and muni-networks on the upswing.

Wireless Broadband Continues Growth and Evolution


- Broadband Over Powerline Deployment continues but is trending more to utility usage to improve

service – system monitoring, deployment of smart grid and advance metering.

Speeds on consumer internet access systems remain symmetrical and average around the 2 Mbps

BPL Technology Evolving


- Satellite Broadband Satellite access still an option for other providers do not offer service. Although continuing to evolve, still does not meet FCC definition of

advanced service. • Latency will always remain an issue

• View of southern hemisphere also required

New Ka-band systems promise improved coverage and potentially higher upstream/downstream speeds.

Satellite systems evolving to provide last-mile connectivity to mobile platforms – airplanes, ships, vehicles.

Satellite Broadband Remains An Option


- Fiber-optic The absolute fastest conduit for data transfer

• Speeds are unlimited

• Fiber rings around major metropolitan areas, along I-69, I-65, and I-70; fiber also connects state’s major universities.

Dramatic increases in deployment – providers responding to consumer demands for package voice/video communications, full spectrum entertainment, high-speed internet access, security, and new technology.• RBOCs slow to deploy outside urban and suburban areas.

• RLECs are deploying within historical operating territories and absorbing adjacent territory, especially since passage of HB-1279.

Fiber-Optic Experiencing Explosive Growth


- Highly responsive to consumer demands – they hear what consumers want and are providing it. Sensitive to generational differences – generations younger than

Baby Boomers want mobility and ability to stay connected Companies changing themselves physically and operationally to meet

the “generational demand”

Indiana Companies Changing How They Do Business


- Boomers (1945-1964)- They want technology and are willing to pay for it- Need to feel young- Tech savvy but need more hand holding

- Xers (1965-1982)- EXTREME child involvement -- make purchasing decisions based on

their kids

- Millennials/Gen Y (1982-2004 / 2005 - )- They live online - word of mouth/social networking is all important- Influence the majority of purchasing decisions - $200 billion per year- Will probably never have landline phone service- They don’t care much about quality or service

Indiana Companies Changing How They Do Business


Consumer demands, global economic requirements and the evolution of technology

points to one conclusion:

Indiana and the nation is shifting to a Fiber-Optic network

with a robust wireless network overlay

Where Will We End Up?


- Ability to evolve almost instantaneously with a capability limited only by transmission equipment. Only technology to offer full range of services: communications,

internet access, entertainment, security, energy management, etc. Providers see the future – deploying rapidly at local level while

backbone providers remain aggressive at the state level.

- Fiber-optic technology makes Indiana globally competitive. - Fiber fundamentally changes the landscape

Once deployed by a provider, overlaying competitive networks not competitively viable

Quickly degrades value of copper and coaxial networks – they can’t match capability

Why Fiber-Optic?


- First and foremost – Consumers. They want to stay connected while on the move. Generational – While Baby Boomers want the capability, younger

generations DEMAND it. Economic – in today’s evolving environment, business has to stay

connected while on the move to remain competitive. Security and Emergency Response – Technology allows responders

to get up-to-date information while responding.• Kosciusko County 911 Dispatch – leading the way.

- Cell phone providers quickly becoming the leader in nationwide networks – 3G, 4G Voice, data, entertainment access already in place Cards enable laptops and PCs to access networks

Why A Wireless Overlay?


- Indiana has penetration in over 90% of all zip codes by some type of high-speed access provider. OUCC database increased to approximately 250 service providers –

25% increase since 2007.

- Almost 100% coverage with cellular 3G or comparable technologies. Viable competition to unlicensed wireless provision

- Unlicensed wireless broadband provider coverage continues to expand, especially in southern part of the state.

How Does Indiana Look Today?


- Existing copper network will remain viable in rural areas for the short term.

- Rural LECs deploying and expanding fiber networks – absorbing new territory as they expand. Big three losses will continue & losses likely to be permanent.

- DSL deployment will slow down. Low hanging fruit is almost gone – without significant technology

advance, 18K limitation makes deployment in low population density areas not viable for business investment considerations.

How Does Indiana Look Today?


- Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan have agencies or organizations directly or indirectly associated with state government examining broadband development.

- Indiana – no dedicated authority or agency. Hands-off approach within guidelines of HB1279 to allow market

forces to work. Not enough data to support conclusion yet, but Indiana seems to be

moving much more rapidly deploying globally competitive high-speed access networks.

How Does Indiana Compare To The Region?


- Reports do not provide accurate assessments at the state level Generally rely on inaccurate and incomplete FCC data. Few offer any analysis of what providers in each state actually offer. No real understanding of “mom and pop shops” provision. Feed off each other.

- International comparisons between U.S. and other countries do not account for cultural, generational, or geographic factors that have dramatic effects on deployment strategies Iceland, Japan, Korea

So Why Do The Experts and Reports Say Different?


- Funding• Potential revenue deploying to low-density rural areas with fiber, cable,

or DSL circuits is usually not sufficient to off-set costs to deploy the technology and provision service.

• No state or federal Universal Service Fund or USF-type programs available yet to offset costs of provision to rural areas like we have for telephone service

• Currently, only viable options for consumers living in deep rural areas continue to be wireless and satellite broadband service

What Hurdles Still Exist?


- Education If consumers don’t understand what broadband is, they won’t want it.

• Information Resource – weather, news, the new “encyclopedia”

• Social Resource – getting connected – staying connected

• Educational Resource – teaching, learning

• Economic Resource – shopping, business, financial management

Only true for the “older” generations!!• Although we enjoy the technology, we grew up with the Eight-Track Player

Younger generations want the technology at younger ages.• Younger generations don’t consider it a luxury – they want the technology

to stay connected to each other

What Hurdles Still Exist?


- Schools have to remain the first level Teach/expose students to technology at an earlier age Require it for informational / educational purposes daily

- Government continues the need Offer services online - be responsive to citizens Promote broadband education Teach independent business operators (small business owners, farmers,

etc.) to become more effective and efficient using broadband technology Promote global marketing and expansion

- Service Providers already marketing and changing Educate older consumers why they should have it Working to stay on top of what younger generations want.

Education Must Be At All Levels


- Information Availability Once consumers want the technology, who can they contact?

• Some online search site available Not complete; inaccurate information Many not updated regularly

• Small or start-up providers rarely have enough funding to maintain operations and do extensive marketing Valuable resource in areas not served by larger well-known companies Typically offer good packages, reasonable rates, and excellent service quality

Until 2007, no single source existed in Indiana to get consumers connected to providers.• OUCC developed online search tool to help consumers get connected• Designed to get consumers and companies connected; not designed to

detail specific deployment of specific services Consumers can get connected to small start-up providers

Any Other Hurdles?


QUESTIONS?

Connecting Rural Indiana 2008 Policy-Programs-Progress Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor David Stippler Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor 317-233-3232.

Documents

rural indiana

state of indiana slide

indiana population

indiana interconnect

southern indiana

progress broadband

state slide

progress broadband deployment