What is broadband?
What is an unserved area?
Any residence, dwelling, home, business, or building that does not have wired or wireless terrestrial internet service capable of achieving the minimum speed tiers of 25 megabits per second in the downstream direction and at least three megabits per second in the upstream (25/3 Mbps).
Who can provide broadband services in New Mexico?
Communications service provider companies, electric cooperatives, public utility providers, local community networking internet service providers, or any other entity that builds or owns a broadband network project.
What are the benefits of broadband?
As the technology supporting broadband connectivity continues to grow, so do the benefits of getting connected. Here are some examples of how broadband connectivity can benefit your home or business.
Broadband is accessed through several technologies, including these below:
Broadband adoption is when a household subscribes to an internet service in their home.
There are many reasons for not subscribing at home, but there are 4 key barriers to adoption:
Effective broadband adoption supports Digital Inclusion policy and action that ensures daily access to the Internet for all
1) at speeds, quality, and capacity necessary to accomplish common tasks
2) with the digital skills (training, digital literacy) necessary t fully participate online
3) on a personal device and secure convenient network
Why Is broadband Important?
Broadband allows people more affordable and efficient access to basic amenities such as education, health care, public safety and government services by:
Broadband speed is important because it allows for faster transmission (uploading and downloading) of data. As data is transmitted digitally, text, images and sound are all translated into “bits” of data.
In January 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) increased the recommended “availability” target speed threshold to download of 25 Mbps (25 Megabits per second or 25 million bits per second from the Internet to the user's computer) and upload of 3Mbps (3 Megabits per second or 2 million bits per second from the user's computer to the Internet) from the previous benchmark of 4 Mbps (download)/1 Mbps (upload). Slower services, such as dial-up, run at 56 Kbps and cannot transmit data as quickly. Broadband is accessed through various high-speed transmission technologies that allow these bits to move faster. Recently, the national standard has moved to 100 Mbps download and 20-100 Mbps upload,
- "A wired or wireless terrestrial service that consists of the capability to transmit at a rate of not less than 25 megabits per second in the downstream direction and at least three megabits per second in the upstream direction to end users."
- "Broadband refers to Internet bandwidth – or the amount of data that can be sent through a connection –in order to access high-speed internet."
- "Broadband is a high-capacity Internet transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies, which enables a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously. The more bandwidth, the more information a user can send or receive at any given time."
What is an unserved area?
Any residence, dwelling, home, business, or building that does not have wired or wireless terrestrial internet service capable of achieving the minimum speed tiers of 25 megabits per second in the downstream direction and at least three megabits per second in the upstream (25/3 Mbps).
Who can provide broadband services in New Mexico?
Communications service provider companies, electric cooperatives, public utility providers, local community networking internet service providers, or any other entity that builds or owns a broadband network project.
What are the benefits of broadband?
As the technology supporting broadband connectivity continues to grow, so do the benefits of getting connected. Here are some examples of how broadband connectivity can benefit your home or business.
- Economic Development
- Government Services
- Education
- Health Care
- Public Safety
- Telework
- Entertainment
Broadband is accessed through several technologies, including these below:
- Digital subscriber lines, which transmit data to homes and businesses over traditional copper telephone lines, which are already installed. Not all copper telephone lines, however, are capable of transmitting data as DSL.
- Cable modems, which transmit data through the same coaxial cables that generate pictures and sounds on television sets
- Fiber-optic cables, which convert electrical signals carrying data into light and send the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds much faster than DSL and cable, typically tens and even hundreds of Mbps.
- Wireless, which can be mobile or fixed. Fixed wireless involves the wireless transmission of data from a local antenna to a permanent location such as a home or business. The service is similar to what is delivered over DSL or a cable modem, but the transmission is wireless. Mobile wireless connects users in temporary locations such as coffee shops. Mobile broadband is transmitted through technologies such as portable modems and mobile phones.
- Satellite, which is another form of wireless useful for serving remote or sparsely populated areas
- Broadband over powerlines, which is an emerging technology that delivers broadband over low- and medium-voltage power lines and is provided to homes using existing electrical connections and outlets. BPL technology has been tested and piloted in North Carolina but is not currently used in homes.
Broadband adoption is when a household subscribes to an internet service in their home.
There are many reasons for not subscribing at home, but there are 4 key barriers to adoption:
- The cost of service
- The cost of a device
- lack of digital literacy skills, like how to use the internet or device
- perceived lack of relevance or benefit to the person’s life
Effective broadband adoption supports Digital Inclusion policy and action that ensures daily access to the Internet for all
1) at speeds, quality, and capacity necessary to accomplish common tasks
2) with the digital skills (training, digital literacy) necessary t fully participate online
3) on a personal device and secure convenient network
Why Is broadband Important?
Broadband allows people more affordable and efficient access to basic amenities such as education, health care, public safety and government services by:
- Affording people opportunities to participate in online learning and distance education
- Giving entrepreneurs and small- and home-based business owners opportunities to compete with large corporations
- Increasing the productivity and efficiency of businesses that use the internet for their operations
- Connecting patients in remote areas to health care services
- Making government services more readily available to residents
- Saving companies and organizations money by letting employees telework
- Allowing friends and families to stay in touch with one another
Broadband speed is important because it allows for faster transmission (uploading and downloading) of data. As data is transmitted digitally, text, images and sound are all translated into “bits” of data.
In January 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) increased the recommended “availability” target speed threshold to download of 25 Mbps (25 Megabits per second or 25 million bits per second from the Internet to the user's computer) and upload of 3Mbps (3 Megabits per second or 2 million bits per second from the user's computer to the Internet) from the previous benchmark of 4 Mbps (download)/1 Mbps (upload). Slower services, such as dial-up, run at 56 Kbps and cannot transmit data as quickly. Broadband is accessed through various high-speed transmission technologies that allow these bits to move faster. Recently, the national standard has moved to 100 Mbps download and 20-100 Mbps upload,
What is Digital Equity?
"Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning and access to essential services."
To achieve digital equity, every New Mexican would have the technologies, tools and skills needed to access affordable high-speed internet anywhere, anytime.
What is Digital inclusion?
"The activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of information and communication technologies."
What are Indicators of a strong Digital Inclusion Ecosystem?
To achieve digital equity requires the design, implementation and support of digital inclusion programs. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) community worked together to define the concept of “Digital Inclusion Ecosystem.” A Digital Inclusion Ecosystem is "a combination of programs and policies that meet a geographic community’s unique and diverse needs. Coordinating entities work together in an ecosystem to address all aspects of the digital divide, including affordable broadband, devices, and skills." The indicators of a strong Digital Inclusion Ecosystem include:
Special thanks to all who collaborated through NDIA’s listserve including community members Amy Sheon, Leslie Scott, Robert McLaughlin, Amy Sample Ward, Andrew Buss, Heidi Ziemer, Meg Kaufer, Heather Petro, Bruce Frankel, Rebecca Kauma, Tom Cytron-Hysom, Alison Ascher Webber, Debra Socia, Glenn McKnight, and Priyanka Sharma.
What is the Digital Divide?"
The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology, the internet and digital literacy training and those who do not." Watch "The Great Digital Divide"
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-great-broadband-divide/
Who Is Affected by the Digital Divide?
The Digital Divide affects both rural and urban areas and all ages including:
students, teachers, businesses, employers, employees, patients, residents, families, seniorsm civic agencies, community organizations and services, and more...
What Closes the Digital Divide?
The digital divide can be closed by implementing digital inclusion policies, programs and tools that incorporate the following:
What obstacles exist to closing the Digital Divide?
What film addresses the Digital Divide in border communities?
This video was created as part of a training program hosted by the Equity in Policy Institute out of the UNM TREE Center. This video was one of six community partnership teams in New Mexico, each of which learned how to make a digital story and policy brief on different topics. This video story is about the digital divide in a border community. The policy focus underscores the idea that access to the internet, and the knowledge to use it, should not be defined by where you live and who you are. The team that helped make this video hopes it will be useful in statewide Digital Equity and Inclusion initiatives. This video was made with thanks to many including:
What is NDIA?
National Digital Inclusion Alliance
What is the Homework Gap?
"The homework gap is the gulf that exists between students and families have access to computers and the internet and those who don’t." The Homework Gap is part of the digital divide and can affect a student’s ability to:
Public Libraries simultaneously address the four primary challenges contributing to the homework gap:
New Mexico is working to address the Homework Gap by supporting:
What are the 5 characteristics of a digitally literate person?
"Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning and access to essential services."
To achieve digital equity, every New Mexican would have the technologies, tools and skills needed to access affordable high-speed internet anywhere, anytime.
What is Digital inclusion?
"The activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of information and communication technologies."
What are Indicators of a strong Digital Inclusion Ecosystem?
To achieve digital equity requires the design, implementation and support of digital inclusion programs. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) community worked together to define the concept of “Digital Inclusion Ecosystem.” A Digital Inclusion Ecosystem is "a combination of programs and policies that meet a geographic community’s unique and diverse needs. Coordinating entities work together in an ecosystem to address all aspects of the digital divide, including affordable broadband, devices, and skills." The indicators of a strong Digital Inclusion Ecosystem include:
- Existence of programs and policies addressing all aspects of the digital divide
- Affordable and subsidized broadband service options that meet the community’s needs
- Affordable and subsidized device ownership programs that meet the community’s needs
- Multilingual digital literacy and digital skill trainings that meet the community’s needs
- Hardware and software technical support
- Digital navigation services to guide residents to the above services
- Collaboration: Entities providing local digital inclusion services, policymakers, advocates, social service providers and community leaders co-create solutions in partnership with the community.
Special thanks to all who collaborated through NDIA’s listserve including community members Amy Sheon, Leslie Scott, Robert McLaughlin, Amy Sample Ward, Andrew Buss, Heidi Ziemer, Meg Kaufer, Heather Petro, Bruce Frankel, Rebecca Kauma, Tom Cytron-Hysom, Alison Ascher Webber, Debra Socia, Glenn McKnight, and Priyanka Sharma.
What is the Digital Divide?"
The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology, the internet and digital literacy training and those who do not." Watch "The Great Digital Divide"
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-great-broadband-divide/
Who Is Affected by the Digital Divide?
The Digital Divide affects both rural and urban areas and all ages including:
students, teachers, businesses, employers, employees, patients, residents, families, seniorsm civic agencies, community organizations and services, and more...
What Closes the Digital Divide?
The digital divide can be closed by implementing digital inclusion policies, programs and tools that incorporate the following:
- Affordable, robust broadband internet service
- Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user
- Access to digital literacy training
- Quality technical support
- Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration
What obstacles exist to closing the Digital Divide?
- The cost associated with the subscription to Internet service
- The cost of a device to use the broadband service
- A person’s lack of existing digital literacy skills, like how to use the internet or device
- The perceived lack of relevance or benefit to the person’s life
What film addresses the Digital Divide in border communities?
This video was created as part of a training program hosted by the Equity in Policy Institute out of the UNM TREE Center. This video was one of six community partnership teams in New Mexico, each of which learned how to make a digital story and policy brief on different topics. This video story is about the digital divide in a border community. The policy focus underscores the idea that access to the internet, and the knowledge to use it, should not be defined by where you live and who you are. The team that helped make this video hopes it will be useful in statewide Digital Equity and Inclusion initiatives. This video was made with thanks to many including:
- Luce Rubio, Doña Ana County
- Anabel Canchola, Doña Ana County HHS Department
- Carmen Bell, Alma de Arte Student and Youth leader
- Javier Gandara, Doña Ana Community College
- Maria Chaparro, La Union, community leader
- Cruz Saenz, Sunland Park, community leader
- Michelle Valverde, LAB Learning Action Buffet/Manager and Facilitator
What is NDIA?
National Digital Inclusion Alliance
What is the Homework Gap?
"The homework gap is the gulf that exists between students and families have access to computers and the internet and those who don’t." The Homework Gap is part of the digital divide and can affect a student’s ability to:
- Complete homework
- Be academically successful
- Build the foundation for a successful career
- Take advantage of economic opportunities
- 15% of households with school-aged children do not have high-speed internet access at home.
- 17% of teens say they have trouble completing their homework because of lack of internet access.
- The numbers are even higher when it comes to minorities and low-income families.
- One in every four low-income teens do not have access to a laptop or desktop computer at home.
Public Libraries simultaneously address the four primary challenges contributing to the homework gap:
- Broadband access
- Affordable broadband service
- Access to a digital device at a student’s home
- Digital literacy training
New Mexico is working to address the Homework Gap by supporting:
- Affordable Service and Low-Cost Offers
- Free Public Wi-Fi Access Locations
- Access to Devices
- New Mexico BB Strategic Plan
What are the 5 characteristics of a digitally literate person?
- Possesses the variety of skills – technical and cognitive – required to find, understand, evaluate, create, and communicate digital information in a wide variety of formats
- Can use diverse technologies appropriately and effectively to retrieve information, interpret results, and judge the quality of that information
- Understands the relationship between technology, life-long learning, personal privacy, and stewardship of information
- Uses these skills and the appropriate technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, colleagues, family, and on occasion, the general public
- Uses these skills to actively participate in civic society and contribute to a vibrant, informed, and engaged community