PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Presenters
Ben Fineman, President & Co-Founder, Michigan Broadband Cooperative
Pierette Widmeyer, Director of Marketing & Communications, Merit Network
The Michigan Moonshot team has collaborated with national subject matter experts to write and build a community network broadband toolkit and framework. This step-by-step guide provides local champions with a playbook for understanding and deploying a regional network. Our speakers will provide an overview of the contents of this free resource in addition to outlining tangible next steps in your connectivity journey.
Presenters
Charlotte Bewersdorff, Vice President for Community Engagement, Merit Network
Dr. Johannes Bauer, Quello, Chair for Media and Information Policy, Michigan State University
5 million households with school-aged children in the US lack access to broadband, creating the “homework gap,” which is likely to reinforce socio-economic divides that limit opportunities for households on the margins. Access to and use of the internet has become an integral component of everyday life in the 21st century. It is imperative for communities to leverage broadband network access for education, telemedicine, public safety and workforce development to maintain the quality of life. This presentation will explore the Michigan Moonshot’s approach to crowdsourced broadband availability data. We will also discuss preliminary results from our pilot data collection efforts and the ways in which communities might leverage data collection to better inform their broadband plans.
Presenter
Joanne Hovis, President, CTC Technology & Energy
Investigating the feasibility of broadband requires a financial model. Components of a financial model, such as the inputs and outputs and the ways in which modeling might be used as a tool for business planning will be explored. Various financial models examples will be provided as real-world examples. Pitfalls and best practice guidelines will also be shared.
Presenter
Kevin Hayes, Chief Information Security Officer, Merit Network
As a broadband network operator, you are a special and valuable target for attackers the world over.
Presenter
Chris Ritzo, Program Management & Community Lead, Measurement Lab at Code for Science and Society
Broadband Internet service has become essential for most aspects of modern life, yet we know that the availability and quality of Internet service varies widely by location and price. Accurate data on broadband availability from federal government agencies is supposed to inform our understanding of where federal dollars should be invested to improve service quality and availability equitably across the nation. While this data has flaws and inaccuracies, the FCC is ostensibly working to improve the accuracy of provider data, and other government agencies like NTIA are also working on data and visualizations. While we wait for improvements in official government data, community and industry led initiatives are seeking to collect their own broadband availability, quality of service, speed, and pricing.
This webinar will share information about the publicly available datasets and tools from Measurement Lab (M-Lab), and how they have been used for planning, decision making, and advocacy. M-Lab is an open source, civil society led, global platform for measuring broadband Internet service. In addition to supporting a portion of the FCC’s Measuring Broadband America program since its beginnings, M-Lab’s open source tools and data have been used in similar initiatives on local and regional levels, enabling communities to gather data about broadband in their communities, including the Michigan Moonshot initiative.
Presenter:
Jonathan Sallet, Senior Fellow of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
In October 2019, the Benton Institute published a report by Jonathan Sallet emphasizing the connection between broadband, economic growth and individual economic opportunity. Now faced with twin health and economic crises, the need for broadband is greater than ever. Jonathan will discuss the potential impact of today’s emergencies on the long-term prospect for ensuring that everyone in American has access to high-performance broadband, on the continuing importance of state and local leadership in broadband, and on potential short-term federal action.
Presenter
Chris Mitchell, Director of Community Broadband Networks,
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Local residents, business owners, and community leaders face many challenges when addressing insufficient Internet access. Not only do these individuals need to understand what solutions are available to them, they must identify and apply the solution that best fits their needs. This webinar will explore the trade-offs, capacity, and economics behind common Internet access technologies, including cable, DSL, mobile wireless, fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber optic. Attendees will leave with the confidence to engage in broadband discussions, debates, and efforts to improve broadband Internet access.
Presenters
Jim Baller, President of Baller Stokes & Lide / President of Coalition for Local Internet Choice
Michael Watza, Partner, Kitch Drutchas Wagner et al/General Counsel to PROTEC
Description
This presentation will explore some of the legal and regulatory issues posed by local broadband initiatives and public-private partnerships.
During the last 25 years, Jim Baller has been involved in many of the leading community broadband initiatives and public-private partnerships in the United States, including more than 75 fiber projects. Since the early 1990s, he has also been a vigorous defender of local governments in dozens of battles in Washington and in the states over restrictions on the right of communities to control their own broadband futures. Jim will address the critical opportunities and challenges that communities considering broadband initiatives are likely to face.
Michael Watza has been a tireless advocate of local community self-governance and community broadband as a means for residents to overcome connectivity issues. Going head to head with an often overbearing telecommunications industry, Mike has helped several Michigan-based communities fight through legal barriers. He will discuss these experiences and touch on future projects currently in the pipeline.
Presenters
Matthew R. Rantanen, Director of Technology, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association | Director, Tribal Digital Village (TDVNet) Network Initiative
About Matthew:
Irene Flannery, Director, AMERIND Critical Infrastructure
About Irene:
Description
The FCC is responsible for managing and licensing the electromagnetic spectrum for commercial and non-commercial users. When this project was first known as the Education Broadcast Service spectrum, the 2.5GHz plan was underutilized, resulting in a recall and subsequent auctioning to the highest bidder. Sustained efforts from members of Indian Country and its Inter-Tribal organizations, peers, friends and advocacy groups resulted in the creation of the “Tribal Priority.” For the first time in history, Tribal Nations have an exclusive opportunity to secure unassigned eligible mid-band 2.5GHz spectrum over rural tribal lands to provide advanced broadband wireless services, including 5G. With the August 3rd deadline approaching, interested parties have limited time to take action. Our presenters will provide insight into the application process as well as free resources available to communities for application support.
Resources
Presenters
Jim Selby, President & CEO, Aspen Wireless
Michael Reen, Municipal Program Manager, Aspen Wireless
Description
The METRO Act regulates requirements for municipalities interested in building their own broadband infrastructure. Steps of the METRO Act include formalized project development, RFP consulting, preliminary design for cost benefit analysis, public education and more. Michigan Moonshot Marketplace partner Aspen Wireless will walk communities through METRO Act requirements to provide an understanding of the steps needed to become shovel-ready.
Presenter
Jeff Christensen, President, EntryPoint Networks
Description
As the internet emerged and moved from science experiment to commercial system, it was not initially obvious that this new global network would become a foundational system for society. The leaders of the telephone and cable TV industries recognized an opportunity and took action, capitalizing on the first-mover advantage. These companies leveraged existing infrastructure and consolidated their respective industries to take control of the onramp to the internet. Utilizing a profit-driven approach, these incumbent operators did not organize their strategy around building the most reliable networks or optimizing for customers’ interests.
This webinar will explore whether the importance of broadband networks to society merits restructuring our internet access model.
Presenters
Tom Duszynski, Director, Marketing & Service Management Team, Wayne State University
Charlotte Bewersdorff, Vice President for Community Engagement, Merit Network
Description
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact educational institutions, universities are forced to adapt to a new operational structure. In order to measure the campus community’s readiness and needs for virtual learning and working, Wayne State University is partnering with the Michigan Moonshot to deploy citizen-scientist data collection efforts. The goal of these efforts is to provide accurate, unbiased connectivity data regarding which properties do and do not currently have internet access, as well as a realistic representation of current broadband coverage and speeds.
In this webinar, Wayne State’s Tom Duszynski and Merit Network’s Charlotte Bewersdorff discuss how the citizen-scientist data collection technique can be used to support broadband internet expansion efforts, and to help further inform the university’s remote technology support services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters
Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Sabrina Roach, Program Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Description
Merit and the Michigan Moonshot are working to develop resources which will help our members and community anchor institutions further digital inclusion efforts within their own organizations. In order for us to understand the needs of our members and identify the best ways to support them, we have invited Angela Siefer, the Executive Director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), and NDIA Program Director Sabrina Roach, to lead a roundtable discussion with our community anchor institutions. This discussion will contain an overview of the current state of digital equity, tips on how to evaluate which barriers exist, and potential solutions that can be applied to overcome those barriers. The NDIA is a leader of the digital literacy and digital equity movement. Since 2015, the NDIA has advocated for local, state and federal policies to promote digital equity and support local digital inclusion strategies.
Presenters
Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Paolo Balboa, Manager of Programs and Data, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Sean Davis, Manager of Research and Policy, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Miles Miller, Program Associate, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Sabrina Roach, Program Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Description
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has developed a body of resources to assist community anchor institutions seeking to increase digital equity and digital inclusion within their communities. The Michigan Moonshot has partnered with the NDIA to provide these resources to Merit Member organizations. Building from information gathered during the Michigan Moonshot Digital Inclusion Roundtable, this webinar will walk through digital inclusion resources that are available to members and the ways in which they might be utilized to assist members of the community.
Presenter
Chris Mitchell, Director of Community Broadband Networks, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Description
High-quality home internet access is essential. In recent months, the digital divide has become even more apparent. Although short-term solutions like Wi-Fi buses and hotspots are being deployed, long-term solutions are necessary to ensure that everyone is connected. In this webinar, the Institute for Local Self Reliance’s Chris Mitchell discusses both short-term and long-term solutions local governments are employing to improve internet access for their residents.
Presenters:
Jennifer C. Waldinger, Director, Health and Human Services Innovation Incubator, State of Illinois
Michael Anderson, Chief Strategist, Public Sector, Informatica
Description:
Many states are leveraging data to better understand health and human services in order to address the needs of their citizens. The data gathered will streamline information sharing between departments in both communities and external collaborations to allow all municipal and public entities to serve their residents more efficiently.
This webinar will explore a use case from the state of Illinois. Other communities attending this webinar can learn how data can be leveraged by champions and municipalities to improve all aspects of quality of life for citizens, not just health. Attendees will also learn how to save time and money through the appliance of community data.
Presenters
Jeff Christensen, President, EntryPoint Networks
Jeffrey Denham, Broadband Specialist, ETI Software Solutions
Bob Stovall, VP of Infrastructure Strategy and Research, Merit Network
Peter Pizzutillo, Vice President, ETI Software Solutions
Devin Cox, EVP of Business Development, Entrypoint Networks
Pierrette Dagg, Director of Marketing and Communications, Merit Network
Description
Digital networks are long past the point where it’s sufficient to merely provide internet access. Having a sustainable network provides the freedom of information exchange, fosters a competitive ecosystem, and enables digital innovation essential for growth and long-term affordability, making it the best option for residents, institutions and businesses.
In this webinar, experts from Merit Network, ETI Software Solutions and EntryPoint discuss the benefits of implementing an open-access network-a strong alternative to the pervasive single-service provider model used today.
Presenters
Ben Fineman
President & Co-Founder, Michigan Broadband Cooperative
Charlotte Bewersdorff
V.P. for Community Engagement, Merit Network
Pierrette Dagg
Director of Marketing and Communications, Merit Network
Description
Navigating the journey to close the broadband gap for a community can be complicated. From orchestrating data collection and grant navigation to RFP creation and feasibility studies, community leaders handle countless decisions as they work to solve their communities’ broadband challenges. In this webinar, experts from Merit Network and Michigan Broadband Alliance discuss the Michigan Moonshot Pathfinder program and how it can guide participants through the early stages of local broadband expansion, minimizing wasted efforts, avoiding dead-ends and closing the digital divide.
Presenter:
Chris Barnes
Grants Development Consultant, Grants Office, LLC
Description
Often, communities that are seeking to build their broadband networks need expert support in the early planning stages. One critical element of these planning efforts revolves around finding the necessary grant funding for your broadband initiative. However, navigating the broadband funding landscape isn’t always easy: What funding opportunities are out there? Who needs to be involved in a particular grant application? What are the best practices for putting together a competitive grant proposal?
Thankfully, Grants Office, LLC is here to answer these questions and more. In this Michigan Moonshot webinar, Chris Barnes, the Grants Development Consultant for Grants Office, LLC, will present on the latest federal and state grant opportunities that can be leveraged to assist in broadband expansion efforts in your community.
Presenter:
Christopher Barnes, Grants Development Consultant, Grants Office, LLC
Richard Campo, Grants Development Consultant, Grants Office, LLC
Francella Ochillo, Executive Director, Next Century Cities
Description
Congress has appropriated $1.2 trillion through the bipartisan infrastructure bill to repair and modernize roads, bridges, airports, and transit services alongside investments in broadband. The bill includes $65 billion to build better broadband infrastructure and ensure community anchor institutions are fully equipped to serve their consumers, whether they be constituents, students, or patients.
Join special guests from Grants Office, LLC as we detail the broadband funding that will flow from the Infrastructure Bill. Next, Francella Ochillo from Next Century Cities will recommend steps communities can take now to be positioned for action when this funding for community network build-outs becomes available. Whether you are a state or local government, educational entity, regional planning group, or healthcare agency, attending this session will ensure you are well positioned to capitalize on this unprecedented funding.
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Learn critical details about the types and sources of broadband-relevant funding included in the Infrastructure Bill.
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Understand how the broadband funding will be structured and when it will become available.
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Understand how you can plan and position your agency for success once the broadband money starts flowing.
Speakers:
Gary Munce, Michigan Broadband Jumpstart
Ben Fineman, Michigan Broadband Alliance
Chris Greene Hutchings, Michigan Moonshot
Description
One of the biggest challenges for an individual looking to address Internet access in their own community is getting started. The problem may be clear, but how to solve it is as clear as mud. The non-profit organization Michigan Broadband Jumpstart has one mission: helping individuals get their community broadband initiatives off the ground and on the right track.
Presenter:
Bob Stovall, Vice President of Infrastructure Strategy and Research for Merit Network
Description
The execution and deployment of outside plant fiber infrastructure (OSP) for high-speed broadband, 5G and pipeline solutions can be challenging. If you are not in the trench, you’ll likely only see and experience the finished product. What are the challenges your organization may face during implementation, and what are the overall benefits an OSP infrastructure provides once executed?
Attendees at this webinar will learn:
- What are the tradeoffs of aerial vs. buried fiber?
- What should a community look for in an OSP partner?
- What setbacks might affect my project timeline?
Presenter:
Francella Ochillo, Executive Director of Next Century Cities
Description
Federal and state grant funding opportunities are unlocking new possibilities for broadband programs across the country. In Michigan, where broadband gaps are well-documented and persistent, hundreds of municipalities have access to a portion of $319 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to launch plans for high-speed Internet expansion. Looking ahead, countless communities will compete for investments flowing through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This webinar will explore three imperatives that every grant-ready community should consider in preparation:
- Engage community leaders to champion broadband goals
- Assess community broadband needs and available infrastructure
- Develop sustainable plans
Presenter:
Francella Ochillo, Executive Director of Next Century Cities
Description
Local governments are the lead architects for broadband programs in their communities. Coordinating with state offices can introduce additional resources and partnership opportunities that cross municipal boundaries. This webinar will explore:
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Strategies for working with a state broadband office
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Examples of effective state and local coordination
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Elevating community-based needs through data points and storytelling
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How regional and local collaborations can provide unique learning opportunities
Presenters:
Francella Ochillo, Executive Director, Next Century Cities
Corian Zacher, Senior Policy Counsel for State & Local Initiatives, Next Century Cities
Roxy Barboza, Program Director, Next Century Cities
Description
Compared to other countries, Americans pay some of the highest prices for minimum broadband connections. Too many households only have one choice of provider, while others do not have broadband service options at all. While local, state, and federal governments are working in concert to ensure that unserved and underserved communities get high-speed connections for the first time, fostering competition remains a critical component of bringing affordable broadband within reach for every household.
Presenters
Liz Shay, Senior Grants Development Consultant, Grants Office
Chris Greene Hutchings, Program Manager, Michigan Moonshot
Over $1 billion in federal and state grants to expand broadband access in Michigan will be available in the coming 18 months. That is a lot of money! If you spent a dollar a minute it would take you 1,902 years to spend it all. These funds come from different programs with differing requirements and processes. Fortunately, best practices to prepare your submission are the same for nearly all broadband grants. Join Liz Shay from Grants Office, LLC and Chris Greene Hutchings from the Michigan Moonshot to learn how to plan and build a competitive grant proposal that won’t take 1,902 years to write.
Presenters
Chris Greene Hutchings, Michigan Moonshot Program Manager
Justin Campbell, Michigan Moonshot Project Coordinator
With over $1.6 billion in BEAD funding available in the state of Michigan and the Map Challenge process fast approaching, some may need to catch up on BEAD. The process is complex and we are here to guide you! Join Chris Greene Hutchings and Justin Campbell from the Michigan Moonshot to learn how local governments can prepare for BEAD.