The document discusses broadband initiatives in rural Georgia. It outlines funding for technical assistance, regional digital economic planning, telemedicine, education broadband, and digital infrastructure mapping. Key priorities include rural Georgia, economic development, infrastructure, workforce, and business/government collaboration. Projects focus on improving broadband access and adoption, with 167,696 households and 429,872 people currently unserved. Challenges in rural areas include employment, computer/broadband affordability, slower speeds, higher prices, and fewer support resources. Ongoing efforts aim to develop public-private partnerships and identify ways to expand rural broadband access and participation in the digital economy.

1. Broadband in Rural Georgia
Bill Price
Digital Georgia Program

2. Purpose
Investing in Projects to Increase Georgia’s Participation in the Digital Economy
What We are Funding
Technical Assistance and Information Development Resources
Regional Planning for Digital Economic Strategies (12 Regions)
Telemedicine Project
Education Broadband Project
Digital Infrastructure Mapping
Digital Summits (3)
The Digital Georgia Program
Priorities
Rural Georgia
The Economy, Infrastructure, Workforce
Business and Government Collaboration

3. @Home, @Work The World is
…Smarter…Smaller….Faster

5. 14-29 Year Olds Say
I Cannot Imaging life Without…

6. Digital Economy Planning
Non Profits
Business
State and Local
Government Service
Providers

7. Develop a Digital Economy Strategy In 12 Georgia Regions
Develop Collaboration and Partnerships
Determine Broadband Supply and Demand
Determine Workforce Supply and Demand
Determine Opportunities and Threats
Find Resources and Assets
Identify Gaps and Priorities
Create Action

8. We Have More
Resources than
we are aware of
Current
Approaches Chip
away at
statewide
challenges
Accurate Data
to enable fact
based decision
making
Requires
Business and
Government to
partner to
solve our
challenges
Business and Government
Collaboration is Critical

9. Broadband

10. Digital Transportation Network
Enables the Digital Economy
Education, Health, Public Safety

11. Rural Georgia Innovates
Drones in Georgia Agriculture
“Drones tested to help Georgia famers see crops from above”
Moultrie Georgia: Private, Government and Universities

13. Georgia’s Rural
Broadband

14. Broadband Research, Analysis and
Mapping
Partners with
Cable
Telco
Municipal
With Wireline Access
9,257,781
No Broadband Access
167,696 Households
429,872 People

15. Unserved By Broadband

16. Total 10,311

17. Available DSL Broadband

18. Available Cable Broadband

19. Wireless Broadband

20. Broadband Investments
Private Sector:
100+ Broadband Service Providers Invest Billions in Georgia
Federal Funding: Residential
FCC Connect America Fund Phase I = $348M for Unserved
FCC Connect America Fund Phase II = $Billions a Year for 5 Yrs.
Public Safety Broadband “FirstNet”
$7 Billion for National Mobile Broadband Network
$3.3M to Georgia for FirstNet Planning
Education and Health Care:
E-Rate Funds $2.5 Billion a Year for Schools and Libraries
Rural Health Care Funds $400M a Year for Hospitals and Clinics

21. Connect America Fund
Impact to Georgia

22. Phase I
$30 Million for
55,723 Homes

23. $33,349,109
$30,259,496
$27,063,353
$20,950,161
$19,509,846
$11,871,050
$10,505,280
$6,455,989
$0
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
$35,000,000
$40,000,000
TN GA AL NC MS KY SC FL
FCC Connect America Funds for Broadband: Phase I

24. 52,728 Georgia
Households
43,685
37,718
35,472
26,472
20,110
15,154
10,294
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
GA TN AL NC MS KY SC FL
$30,259,000 Funds Broadband to 52,728 Georgia Households

25. 49,401
Households
3,320
Households
Windstream
ATT
Connect America Fund Phase I
Georgia Households by Broadband Provider

27. Connect America Fund Phase II
$Billions Per Year for 5 Years

28. Challenges Remain
Employment and Ability to Buy a Computer and Broadband
Rural Broadband Access and Speeds Lag Georgia Metros
Rural Prices Can be 2-3 Times Higher
Rural Broadband Capacity Limitations
Fewer Technical Support and Assistance Resources
Options to Improve
Develop Public Private Partnerships
Develop Ways to lower Broadband Investment Costs
Identify Ways to Grow Rural Broadband Markets
Develop Technical Assistance Programs and Resources
Increase Awareness of Broadband Programs to Lower Cost

29. To Use Our Resources
To Participate, Contribute and Collaborate
Contact: Regional Commissions
Bill Price, bill.price@gta.ga.gov
Questions?