UPDATED: DTI To Hold Public Meetings On Broadband Funding
DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Department of Technology and Information’s (DTI) Broadband Office will host public meetings in early March to share information about major broadband initiatives happening across the state. Funding for both infrastructure and digital equity will be made available to Delaware through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Delaware is expected to receive approximately $100 million for these purposes.
The public is encouraged to attend one of the following sessions in their area or join online:
About the Delaware Department of Technology and Information
The Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is the state’s central IT organization, chartered to deliver core services to other state organizations and exercise governance over the technology direction and investments of the state. DTI provides enterprise services that enable other organizations to effectively fulfill their missions.
DELAWARE OFFERS STATEWIDE SPEED SURVEY AND SPEED TEST
Information gathered will be used to address broadband challenges
DOVER, Del. — In an effort to improve broadband services across the entire state, the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is partnering with CTC Technology and Energy to conduct a statewide speed survey. Over the next 45 days residents can visit SpeedSurvey.Delaware.gov to test the speed of their computers, tablets and smart phones or to report a lack of service. Persons without access to internet service can also report that information by calling (302) 739-9701.
“Having reliable and affordable access to the internet is as essential now more than ever ‒ for education, work, healthcare, and the list goes on,” said Acting CIO Jason Clarke. “As we move forward to eliminate broadband deserts throughout the state, we need to be working with the most accurate data possible. The more people who participate in this speed test or report lack of internet availability, the more real-time information we have to make educated, strategic decisions that best serve Delaware.”
This information will be used to develop a statewide strategic plan to address rural and urban broadband challenges. For more information about the State of Delaware’s broadband efforts, please visit broadband.delaware.gov.
###
Video: Building the nation’s fastest broadband network
Creating a Stronger, More Prosperous Delaware
Dover, DE – Recognizing the importance of high speed broadband networks to drive economic competitiveness, improve educational opportunity, and strengthen quality of life for Delawareans, the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) is taking steps to maintain Delaware’s position as the nation’s leading state for high-speed broadband networks.
Following a successful first round of Broadband Grant funding in 2014 and 2015 for Internet Services Providers (ISPs) to extend high speed broadband services to their customers, particularly in rural underserved areas, DTI is reviewing applications received for a second round of grant funding for three pilot projects to evaluate the success and assess the viability for ISPs to extend wireless broadband services into rural communities around Seaford and Marydel and a municipal Wi-Fi network in Rehoboth. DTI anticipates a subsequent third round of funding to broaden wireless high speed internet services into additional rural communities.
To further promote the benefits of Broadband, the Markell Administration has released the following video that celebrates the impact of broadband in driving economic opportunity, enhancing quality of life, and improving healthcare through telehealth services.
“Supporting economic mobility and opportunity for everyone in today’s economy requires access to high-speed internet,” said Governor Markell. “Whether it is giving students the tools at school and at home to get the most out of their education, ensuring businesses have the ability to compete efficiently and effectively, or making available tele-medicine to improve access to health care, expanding high-speed broadband raises the quality of life for our citizens. I’m proud of the progress we have made together to make Delaware the best state in the nation for internet speeds and, with new rounds of grants from the state, I’m confident we can build on this progress toward becoming the first state where everyone has access to all of the benefits broadband provides.”
Delaware broadband facts
• Delaware boasts the fastest Internet connection speeds in the country, and ranks among the fastest in the world, according to Akamai Technologies Inc. who publishes a quarterly “State of the Internet report”. Downloading a high definition movie that would have taken 25 seconds in 2009 can be accomplished in 2 seconds on today’s network.
• In 2014, Delaware had the largest increase in Internet speed of any state in the nation with a 42% jump over the previous year.
• Delaware’s Department of Technology and Information has established Wi-Fi networks in more than 200 state government buildings, which provide fast and reliable access to more than 2,500 staff and citizens each day.
• Since 2009, public-private partnerships to expand Delaware’s broadband infrastructure have resulted in construction of more than 700 miles of new fiber optic infrastructure throughout the state.
• Delaware’s broadband “backbone” features high capacity fiber-optic lines that run the length of the state from Wilmington to Georgetown, and from Seaford to Lewes, improving internet reliability for consumers and increasing internet access speeds by as much as 10 times since 2009.
• Legislation passed in 2013 establishing the Delaware Broadband Grant allows DTI to leverage additional private investment to install high speed fiber optic lines in underserved communities and key public sites such as schools, libraries, health care facilities, and places that provide government services.
• Work with wireless service providers to expand and upgrade 4G/LTE cellular phone services into southern and rural communities across Delaware has ensured more than 99 percent of the state is covered by wireless providers, improving citizen access to public safety and emergency services, including enhanced 911, benefiting the agricultural community, and improving services to local businesses.
“Broadband access has become like a utility,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins when speaking about its importance in spurring economic growth and opportunity. “If you’re going to operate and be successful in the information age you need access to broadband.”
“We found that there was a lot of area that wasn’t served very well by fiber,” said Lightower CEO Philip Olivero. “The State of Delaware, who was willing to invest in this network definitely helped make this happen.”
“In many instances we’re getting orders for customers, and the first truck has to be rolling out of our gate within three to six hours,” said Edward Krupka, Jr, Chief Information Office for Burris Logistics, speaking about the benefits of reliable access to broadband. “For us to miss an order or miss processing times because of a network failure means that we’ll miss out on the service levels that we guarantee to our customers.”
“One of the key aspects to this investment (in broadband) is the quality of life to our citizens and visitors. (It has) a direct impact to their level of service and as a result it’ll improve Sussex County’s attractiveness,” said Todd Lawson, Sussex County Administrator, who emphasized broadband’s role in supporting economic development and quality of life.
“With broadband we were able to offer more kinds of things, more access to materials,” said Georgetown library Director Elaine Fike. “In our job center, having laptops and a person to assist with resumes and online job searches would not have been possible without (the broadband network).”
Carolyn Morris, Director of Telehealth Planning and Development for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, applauded the capabilities created by broadband to transmit healthcare records electronically over great distances and enable telemedicine, which connects residents at home and in their own communities to healthcare professionals via video link. “To see a specialist, downstate patients may need to travel great distances, maybe 200-300 miles (taking) a whole day,” Morris said. “Having broadband in Sussex County, the services will be able to be delivered in the community.”
Governor Announces $1 Million Grant Awarded to Boost Internet Access in Sussex
Fibertech to build approximately 36 miles of new network infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband in rural areas
Dover, DE – Building on Delaware’s recent recognition for providing the best high-speed broadband internet access in the country, Governor Markell today announced a $1 million grant for network services provider Fibertech Networks to improve connectivity in Sussex County, helping address some of the few remaining pockets where Delaware residents and businesses do not have high quality service.
The construction of approximately 36 miles of fiber optic network focused on rural areas is designed to build on last year’s completion of a fiber line running from Middletown to Georgetown through a project led by the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and funded by the Delaware Economic Development Office. At that time, the Governor announced that new grant funding would be provided to private companies that offer the best plans to use the new fiber line to reach underserved Delawareans, with a focus on key sites like public schools and libraries, health care facilities, and places that provide government services.
“Online tools and resources exponentially increase the possibilities to advance education, careers, business growth, and public safety, which means better quality of life and a stronger economy,” said Markell. “But that also means there is a clear dividing line in today’s society between those who have access to high-speed broadband and those who don’t.
“In a 21st century economy, we can only ensure all Delawareans have opportunities to reach their potential if everyone has access to these services, so despite our recent success in expanding access, we won’t be satisfied until that is the case. I congratulate Fibertech on this grant award and thank them for their work to further our state’s mission of universal broadband access.”
Fibertech, which already operates more than 300 miles of fiber optic network throughout Delaware’s three counties, will expand its network, building approximately 18 miles of new network to Seaford in the west and approximately 18 miles of new network to Lewes on the east. Both network segments will connect in Georgetown and therefore offer connectivity to Fibertech’s existing network infrastructure running through Kent and New Castle Counties with further connectivity to Philadelphia and New Jersey.
The Rochester, NY-based company will build on its efforts to offer network services to education, healthcare, government and financial institutions, along with and other large and medium-size businesses looking to meet demands for data and broadband connectivity. Fibertech extends its fiber optic network directly into business locations, allowing them to internally deploy a wide range of advanced telecommunications applications.
“The expansion of broadband in Sussex County will allow for an increase in access speeds in previously underserved areas,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins, who leads DTI. “This Delaware Broadband Fund grant is critical in creating opportunity and incentives for private vendors, Internet Service Providers, to do what they do best, bring direct services to schools, homes and farms, and to community and governmental centers.”
For those benefiting from the fiber line completed last year and the new construction, the state’s Sussex County broadband expansion efforts mean an increase in access speeds from 1.5 MB to potentially 10GB, with most users expected to opt for between 10MB and 100MB.
“The open-access network and investments we have made in Delaware have long helped bring more affordable broadband to businesses in New Castle and Kent counties,” said Mike Hurley, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fibertech. “We look forward to bringing these same capabilities to Sussex County and other areas. This project will facilitate building a transparent and agile infrastructure for State and local government that at the same time enhances modern commerce and increase regional competitiveness for businesses and underserved sectors.”
Funding for the grant comes from the Delaware Broadband Fund, established in 2013 by House Bill 96, which was sponsored by Representative Darryl Scott (D-Dover) and Senator Brian Bushweller (D-Dover). The legislation provides that the Fund will support and enhance rural broadband initiatives in under-served areas of the State, as well as broadband access at public schools and public libraries.
Markell and Collins announced the grant award at Burris Logistics Corporate Headquarters in Milford. As one of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated temperature-controlled food distribution companies, Burris leaders stressed the critical nature of their data communication network. Burris has leveraged the additional fiber installed a year ago to support company operations.
Burris develops custom storage and transportation programs that are uniquely designed to meet individual customer needs, offering over 60 million cubic feet of freezer warehousing space in 17 strategic locations across the country. Company officials made a presentation at the event to demonstrate the importance of high-speed broadband to their work.
