The Primary Issue for Schools and Libraries is Broadband Affordability, Not Broadband Access

All schools and libraries have access to broadband.

Here's the latest news release from the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association.

Here are the facts that the WSTA omitted.  From School and Library Broadband and Internet Access in Wisconsin: A Background Paper.

97% of Wisconsin's public libraries are at 3Mbps or less. The percentages are based on Aug. 2011 BadgerNet data from the Wisconsin Department of Administration.  As a result of recent increases approved by TEACH, a significant number of libraries with 1.5 Mpbs will be brought up to 3 Mbps.

The Federal Communications Commission has set a broadband benchmark of 4Mbps.   [See #5 on page 4.]  Even with the increases, 97% of Wisconsin's public libraries fall below this benchmark.   In addition, goal 4 in the National Broadband Plan states that community anchor institutions [see page 5 and this] should have affordable access to at least 1Gbps of broadband by 2020.

LINK

Perhaps most importantly, TEACH does not have the funding to support the bandwidths shown on page 2 of the WSTA news release. TEACH routinely tells libraries to be very conservative with their bandwidth requests.  Many requests are denied.  (TEACH contract extension, 11/5/2011.  See pages 3-5.)

For general background, see "Schools and Libraries Still Living in Dial-Up Age".  (MindShift, 10/27/2011)


For Further Information
Deep Dive part 1.
Deep Dive part 2.
Deep Dive part 3.

Related WiscNet/BCCB posts:

Community Broadband Networks puts the spotlight on CINC.  (9/26/2011)
BCCB lawsuit update from UW-Extension.  (9/17/2011)
More of the same from telcos in broadband dispute.  (8/21/2011)
Access Wisconsin Lawsuit:  Today's discovery @ Wisconsin Circuit Court Access.  (8/10/2011)
Lester Public Library Director sheds some light on WiscNet.  (8/10/2011)

About the Access Wisconsin lawsuit.  (8/5/2011)
Case summary with names of defendants' attorneys.  (8/4/2011)
An example of how advocacy works.  (7/31/2011)
From Peter C. Anderson's Court Official Calendar for Dane County.  (7/24/2011)
Lawsuit update and summary.  (7/22/2011)
Judge Anderson denies UW broadband restraining order.  (7/21/2011)
Plaintiffs v. Defendants.  (7/20/2011)
Telcos whine while Wisconsin falls behind.  (7/20/2011)
Access Wisconsin news release.  (7/19/2011)
LRB clarifies WiscNet veto. (6/30/2011)
WiscNet:  Moving Forward.  (6/30/2011)
Walker's WiscNet veto:  What does it mean?  (6/27/2011)
Rest assured they'll be more fights in this battle.  (6/24/2011)
Wisconsin Senate passes budget.  (6/17/2011)
Amendment update.    (6/16/2011)
Assembly passes budget at 3:05 a.m.  (6/16/2011)
Wispolitics budget blog.  (6/15/2011)
Wisconsin ranks 43rd for broadband Internet coverage.  (6/15/2011)
Ron Kind news release.  (6/15/2011)
Assembly 8.  (6/15/2011)
Highest level alert.  (6/15/2011)
This is what democracy looks like.  (6/15/2011)
WSTA's day of disappointment.  (6/14/2011)
They can hear us now.  (6/14/2011)
Appleton Post-Crescent editorial.  (6/14/2011)
YouTube video.  (6/14/2011)
Hedberg Public Library promotes WiscNet.  (6/14/2011)
League of Wisconsin Municipalities press release.  (6/14/2011)
UW General Counsel opinion.  (6/13/2011)
Ars Technica WiscNet coverage.  (6/13/2011)
Wausau Daily Herald editorial.  (6/13/2011)
If your representative is Robin Vos...   (6/13/2011)
Baraboo School Board unhappy with JFC WiscNet action.  (6/13/2011)
WiscNet debate from the NE WI prospective.  (6/12/2011)
David Weinhold letter to editor.  (6122010
Rep. Moelpske's statement. (6/11/2011)
COLAND letter to Sen. Fitzgerald.  (6/10/2011)
Rhonda Puntney's op-ed piece.  (6/10/2011)
Nass letter to Fitzgerald and Vos.  (6/9/2011)
CINC response.  (6/9/2011)
UW response.  (6/9/2011)
Manna from heaven.  (6/8/2011)

Fiasco:  School Administrators Alliance unhappy with JFC WiscNet action.  (6/8/2011)

Sen. Pam Galloway and Rep. Jerry Petrowski need to hear about WiscNet from their constituents.  (6/8/2011)
But, federal funds to expand high-speed Internet could be reviewed.  (6/8/2011)

Sen. Vinehout statement.  (6/7/2011)
Rep. Clark statement.  (6/7/2011)
Tony Evers' memo.  (6/7/2011)
Unintended consequence of section 25?  (6/7/2011)
Section 23: what the fuss is about.  (6/7/2011)
A crowbar:  A tool we don't need for WiscNet.  (6/7/2011)
WiscNet needs your attention and immediate action.  (6/6/Bob2011)
The end of WiscNet as we know it.  (6/5/2011)