The State of Wisconsin actively seeks to expand broadband availability and use. With affordable and adequate broadband the state is better position to be economically competitive and provide the quality of living that is expected by residents and the business community. Two scenarios are considered in this study: All residents and businesses in Wisconsin have access to a wireline broadband service (copper, cable or fiber) that delivers service at the nationally prescribed standard of 4 Mbps download speed. A robust LTE mobile wireless (or equivalent) service delivers at least 10 Mbps download connection to every location where people live and work in Wisconsin.

1. 1

2. AT A GLANCE
Economic and Social Impact of Broadband Investments in Wisconsin
Situation
Impact
Unmet Demand
Very High/High
Medium
Low/Very Low
Annual Construction and
Operations Impact
35 counties
16 counties
21 counties
Wireline: 1,900 jobs and $290
million in WI business sales.
Wireless: 1,900 jobs and $340
Million in WI business sales.
Opportunity
Impacts Enabled by Expanded
Broadband
All Wisconsin residents can access a national
standard wireline connection.
o 560,000 residents would receive
access to at least 4 Mbps download.
Improved
educational
opportunities
Economic
development in
areas receiving
investment
Wireline
Construction
5 Yr. Operations
5 Yr. Total Cost
Wireless
Construction
5 Yr. Operations
5 Yr. Total Cost
125,000 WI
residents
Enhanced public
safety as a result
of LTE mobile
wireless
deployment
Cost
2,000 jobs
annually
Expansion of
Health Care
Access at home
All residents can access a robust LTE
wireless connection.
o 870,000 residents would receive
access to at least a 10 Mbps
download wireless service.
98,000
students
50% of
Wisconsin
land area
$80 million
sales
$939,290,000
$446,485,000
$1,385,775,000
$807,000,000
$1,800,400,000
$2,607,400,000
2

3. INTRODUCTION
The State of Wisconsin actively seeks to expand broadband availability and use.
With affordable and adequate broadband the state is better position to be
economically competitive and provide the quality of living that is expected by
residents and the business community.
Two scenarios are considered in this study:
All residents and businesses in Wisconsin have access to a wireline
broadband service (copper, cable or fiber) that delivers service at the
nationally prescribed standard of 4 Mbps download speed.
A robust LTE mobile wireless (or equivalent) service delivers at least
10 Mbps download connection to every location where people live
and work in Wisconsin.
A customized application of the LinkWISCONSIN broadband cost model was
implemented to provide a high level estimate of the overall construction and annual
operations investment that would be required for each of these scenarios.
Using the costs as a starting point, the associated employment and sales impact that
would result from the fulfillment of each scenario is estimated. In addition,
consideration is given to the impact on four priority state objectives for broadband
identified through a recent interview of Wisconsin broadband stakeholders. These
include:
Bettering the lives of Wisconsin’s youth through improved education
Expanding economic development, especially into the state’s rural counties
Improving health care access
Strengthening Public Safety
The investment costs as well as Wisconsin benefit projected to result from those
investments are considered in the broader context of unmet demand for broadband
throughout the state.
3

4. THE SITUATION
There is a substantial difference in the demand for, and supply of, broadband across
the state of Wisconsin. Broadband supply and demand is closely related to factors
such as local demographics, population density and business structure. This section
provides a brief overview of the current situation in Wisconsin.
Broadband Demand
Wisconsin recently completed an extensive assessment residential and business
broadband demand1. The map below identifies counties as belonging to one of five
categories based on unmet demand for broadband determined through consumer
survey responses2.
Unmet Broadband Demand Identified by County
A summary of results for this study are available on the Wisconsin Broadband
Dashboard at http://wisconsindashboard.org .
2 Unmet demand is defined as the percentage of respondents in each county that
report they do not have access to an acceptable Internet option meeting their needs.
For several counties unmet demand estimated based on availability data due to an
inadequate number of county responses to demand survey. A complete listing of
counties and their percentages appears as Appendix A.
1
4

5. Rural Land Area and Unmet Demand
Sixteen Wisconsin Counties are classified as “very high” unmet demand (more than
two-thirds unsatisfied or not connected) and 19 are classified as “high” unmet
demand (between 55% and 64% unsatisfied or not connected). These counties are
largely rural. The average population density is 35 people per square mile for the
“very high” group; and an average of 55 people per square mile for the 19 counties
classified as “high” unmet demand. This in stark contrast to a much higher density
in “medium” (45% to 54%), “low” (35% to 44%) and “very low” (less than 34%)
unmet demand counties . (See chart below).
Average Persons Per Square Mile by Unmet Demand Group
A high proportion or rural land area relative to population impacts unmet demand
for broadband in at least two major ways. First are the implications for broadband
availability or supply. When customers are spread out of a large land area, it is
expensive to deploy broadband solutions. Also mountains, valleys and lakes are
common in many rural Wisconsin areas. This increases the cost of deployment. Also
because people living in more remote areas must travel long distances to doctors,
school, shopping and so forth, there is a particular demand or value for digital
solutions that can reduce travel costs. These are just examples of factors associated
with limited population and demand.
Income and Education
Income is closely correlated with other demographic factors, including education,
and is a recognized important factor in determining broadband demand.
Households with access to higher incomes are more able to afford broadband and
are more likely to purchase premium bundled packages. Communities with higher
income are attractive targets for private broadband providers, as they are perceived
5

6. to be more profitable opportunities (everything else equal). Unmet demand in
communities with lower income can be the result of both a perceived lack of
affordability and limited service offering. The chart below illustrates that Wisconsin
Counties with higher unmet demand tend to have lower per capita income than
counties with medium, low or very low unmet demand.
Comparison of Per Capita Income by Unmet Demand Group
Education is closely related to income. The chart below illustrates the pattern of
counties with lower educational attainment are more often in the very high or high
unmet demand county groups.
Comparison of Percent with Bachelors Degree by Unmet Demand Group
6

7. Households with less education often have less income to spend. Also education is
closely associated with intensity of use of residential Internet. Other factors may
also be important. For example communities with a more educated population often
value schools more highly which results in innovations such as deployment of
digital learning at school. Similarly may be more inclined to accept telemedicine or
use digital resources at local libraries. With education and higher incomes there is
more public taxpayer support for these institutions. Institutional demand for
broadband at schools, libraries and hospitals is one factor that is an important
driver of broadband investment. Another reason why communities with less
education and income are less likely be targets for private broadband investment.
Age
Those born after the 1990 have never known a time when there was not an Internet
and have difficulty imaging a world without the Internet. However, for older
Wisconsinites, the Internet is a new introduction for some viewed as beneficial and
for others viewed as less beneficial. In general a higher proportion of older residents
are less likely to value the Internet.
Comparison of Age Distribution for Very High and Very Low
Unmet Demand Groups
Very Low Unmet Demand
Very High Unmet Demand
The chart above compares the average age distribution for counties classified as
high- unmet demand and low unmet demand. In general counties with high unmet
demand tend to have an older population and in particular a smaller share of the
population in the critical age category 20 to 44 years. This data again illustrates that
even among populations that as a group may value connection to the Internet less
(e.g. those over 65), there is still a significant demand. But the supply side can be
7

8. less responsive in meeting that demand as the market response tends towards
higher demand populations, everything else equal.
Broadband Supply
As noted above, broadband supply and unmet demand are closely related.
Providers responding to market incentives are less likely to deploy broadband
investment in areas where low population density makes such deployment less
profitable or demographic factors lower potential market opportunities per capita.
As a result, many counties in the state with high unmet demand are the same
counties with more limited broadband availability.
Distribution of Percent Population with Access to National Standard Wireline Broadband by
County
Distribution of Approximate Percent Population with Access to LTE Standard Broadband3 by
County
Very High or High Unmet Demand Counties
Medium Unmet Demand Counties
Very Low or Low Unmet Demand Counties
Defined as percent of population with access to a reported wireless provider
delivering at least 10 Mbps download.
3
8

9. The above two charts illustrates that the availability of broadband supply varies in a
pattern similar to unmet demand for the 71 Wisconsin Counties. The percentage of
wireline and wireless broadband availability tends to be lowest for counties
classified as “very high” or “high” unmet demand (indicated by red blocks). A
detailed listing of percent population with access to national standard wireline or
LTE standard wireless by county is provided as Appendix B.
THE OPPORTUNITY
LinkWISCONSIN recently implemented a 360 degree broadband stakeholder
interview process to assess areas of consensus on the state’s desired future by 2018
as well as critical actions, actors and resources required to achieve that desired
future. At a high level, actions to reduce unmet demand for both wireline and mobile
wireless broadband services are core to achieving the state’s desired future. There
is a general perspective among most Wisconsin stakeholders that the most practical
path forward is finding ways to incent additional market investment to the full
extent possible. To some extent there is an expectation that continued technological
change, especially with respect to wireless technologies will help advance solutions.
However other actions include such things as leadership from the Wisconsin
Governor’s office establishing state priority and direction; available transparent
data to support good decision making as well as to monitor progress; organized
local community initiatives led by local champions; legislative reforms that can
reduce the cost of acquiring right of way; and leveraging of Wisconsin’s universal
service authority where appropriate.
It is important however to recognize that the opportunity perceived by Wisconsin
stakeholders is not to bring every resident and business access to affordable quality
broadband. Rather the opportunity perceived is rooted in what can be achieved
through better available and more well utilized broadband services. Three
examples are:
Bettering the lives of Wisconsin’s youth through improved education
Expanding economic development, especially into the state’s rural counties
Improving health care access
Strengthening Public Safety
Each of these four examples is explained briefly below.
9

10. Interview Insights: Wisconsin Broadband Opportunities in 2018
Bettering the Lives of Wisconsin’s Youth Through Improved Education
In Wisconsin, the leveraging of broadband to expand educational access to help kids
gain 21st Century workforce skills should be a high priority. As BadgerNet continues
to roll out to all School Districts can receive a gigabit connection. However, 21st
Century education does not simply take place in the classroom but also requires
connection of teachers and administrators to homes. Wisconsin’s success in meeting
the needs of youth will require a drive to expand connectivity to homes where
school age kids are present. The BadgerNet network can provide additional capacity
to WI rural communities. Wireless technologies are an important part of the mix
connecting households to the educational network. Chances of success will be
improved if Wisconsinimplements some initial pilots that demonstrate the value of
broadband improving educational outcomes for students with better connections to
schools and also between schools and homes. Another important motivation behind
the focus on youth is a desire to make it possible - if not attractive - for rural youth
to stay and build careers and lives in rural Wisconsin
Expanding Economic Development, Especially Into the State’s Rural Counties
The critical importance of broadband for business and economic development is
widely recognized and is a significant reason for engagement by local community
leaders. For example municipalities and Tribal communities in northern WI in
particular recognize that the important visitor and recreation sector requires
visitors to have access to connectivity. The important second home industry can
prosper as more people can work from home and maintain connection from second
homes. The result is the ability to spend more days in the Northwoods and other
rural Wisconsin areas contributing the economy. Businesses of all types benefit
from expanded broadband connections. Telecommuting has become a more
important factor in supporting rural economies. Some advocate establishing
broadband ready communities is an option to encourage local engagement. All of
these economic development approaches require broadband. Because of the
importance for local development, local EDCs, Chambers as well as WEDA are likely
active champions for Wisconsin broadband.
Improving Health Care Access
Broadband is utilized to make health care in Wisconsin more accessible and
affordable. Telehealth can substantially reduce the need to travel to a doctor’s office.
Patient information follows patient with centralized database that can be access
where the patient is at. Home health monitoring and patient consultation allows
aging population to live at home longer and improves quality of life. Barriers of
10

11. health care reimbursement not being consistent with home-based delivery is
essential to take advantage of the opportunity presented through broadband. Tribal
health centers can provide access to interactive video delivery of mental health and
substance abuse treatment professionals for that important typically underserved
population. A combination of mobile broadband and high speed wireline (including
fiber) connections can support health care needs in state. Health care outcomes can
be improved and costs of health care access minimized by the use of broadband.
Health care networks can continue to become more "open" driven in large part by
consumers increasing demand for access to their healthcare related information
anytime anywhere on any device. Another significant driver to advancements in
health care broadband related connectivity is an increase in the size of medical
groups where an increasing number of physicians and other healthcare workers
require advanced access to one another.
Strengthening Public Safety
Public safety utilizes interoperability across technology platforms (mobile and
fixed) and among emergency response sectors. State government, led by the State
CIO Office and PSC provides leadership in finding solutions to share commercial and
public safety infrastructure. Protecting security and integrity of public safety
network is possible while maximizing use of available infrastructure. The
deployment of an efficient and effective public safety network can be enhanced by
legislation that helped improved siting and sharing of towers.
THE COST
Most of Wisconsin’s vision for opportunities to be achieved through better available,
affordable and quality broadband require homes and businesses at a minimum have
access to a national standard wireline (or equivalent fixed wireless service) and/or
a robust LTE wireless connection. Fixed broadband services (whether wired or
wireless) and mobile broadband wireless are not entirely substitutes. Mobile
wireless solutions, for example are particularly important to businesses such as
farms where the operation can be spread over many acres or for mobile enterprises
such as trucking and public safety first responders. On the other hand, fixed
broadband services (especially those that are fiber based) offer the potential of
higher speed delivery and greater data security. While technologies continue to
improve, consumer survey data reveals that as of 2013, consumer satisfaction is
significantly greater for broadband delivered from wireline and fixed wireless
technologies, than is the case for mobile broadband or satellite technologies4.
Ideally, to fully achieve Wisconsin’s broadband vision for 2018 as articulated by
stakeholders, both a fixed broadband solution and a robust mobile broadband
solution would be to the extent possible available to every area of the state.
4
Results from Wisconsin Broadband Demand Survey
11

12. This section of the report focuses on two scenarios. The first scenario is the
deployment of a national standard wireline solution to every inhabited census block
in the state. The second scenario posits the availability of an LTE standard wireless
broadband service is available to every census block in the state. Specifically the
modeled cost for each of these two scenarios is summarized.
Infrastructure Cost Scenario 1: National Standard Wireline Broadband Service
Available to Every Inhabited Census Block in Wisconsin.
This first cost scenario reflects the objective of extending, and where necessary
upgrading, the existing wireline telephone network. The engineering design used in
the model5 is to create the capability of delivering every resident and business in
Wisconsin the option to purchase a national standard wireline broadband service (4
Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speed). It is recognized this objective could also
be achieved through wireless technologies as well.
Number of People Who Lack Access to a National Wireline Standard Broadband Service
Profiled by Unmet Demand Groups
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Approximately 560,000 people in Wisconsin live in areas where there is not
wireline broadband service provider advertising the option of purchasing a
broadband service that delivers at least 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload
speed.6 Just over 50% live in counties that are classified as high or very high unmet
demand based on the Wisconsin broadband demand survey.
5
6
Special run of the LinkWISCONSIN cost model conducted by CostQuest Associates.
http://wisconsindashboard.org
12

13. Total Construction and Five Year Operations Cost of Filling Wireline Gaps to National Standard
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Demand Group
Construction Cost
Five Year Operations Cost
High or Very High
$567,923,041
$261,090,210
Medium
$200,188,229
$99,937,245
Low or Very Low
$171,177,952
$85,456,865
TOTAL
$939,289,222
$446,484,320
Overall, approximately 1.5 billion dollars would be required to expand and upgrade
the existing wireline broadband network to provide every resident and business in
the state with access to a national standard wireline broadband solution. The costs
are approximately proportional with the location of residents presently not served
by a national standard wireline broadband service. That is, about half the necessary
expenditures are in the largely rural and often remote high or very high unmet
demand counties.
13

14. Wireline Upgrade Cost Per Capita
Wireline Upgrade Cost Per Beneficiary
The necessary wireline upgrade costs per capita for this scenario are substantially
greater for the very high and the high, unmet demand counties compared with the
rest of the state. This is primary because of the low population density typical for
many counties in the high and very high groups. As noted above, costs of
deployment increase with lower population density and terrain challenges such as
lakes and forests. When considered on a cost per beneficiary basis7, the same trend
applies. However, the difference across demand groups is less stark.
Infrastructure Cost Scenario 2: A Robust LTE Broadband Service8 Available to Every
Inhabited Census Block in Wisconsin.
This second cost scenario reflects the objective of extending, and where necessary
upgrading, the existing wireless telephone network. The engineering design used in
the model9 is to create the capability of delivering every resident and business in
Wisconsin the option to purchase a mobile wireless broadband solution that
delivers a dependable 10 Mbps download speed at their home location.
Per beneficiary is the total upgrade cost for a group divided by the number of
residents that presently do not have access to a national standard wireline
broadband service.
8 Capable of delivering at least 10 Mbps download
9 Special run of the LinkWISCONSIN cost model conducted by CostQuest Associates.
7
14

15. Number of People Who Lack Access to a 10 Mbps LTE Capable Mobile Service Profiled by
Unmet Demand Groups
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Approximately 870,000 Wisconsin residents live in areas where there is not
advertised mobile wireless service capable of delivering 10 Mbps download speeds.
As is the case for wireline gaps, approximately half of these individuals are in
counties identified as high or very high, unmet demand.
Total Construction and Five Year Operations Cost of Filling Wireless LTE Gaps
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Demand Group
Construction Cost
Five Year Operations Cost
High or Very High
$321,921,749
$692,758,296
Medium
$224,255,873
$503,220,858
Low or Very Low
$260,915,869
$604,426,122
TOTAL
$807,093,491
$1,800,405,277
15

16. The modeled cost of providing access to a robust LTE service delivering 10 Mbps
download to where all Wisconsin residents live is estimated at approximately 2.6
billion dollars. It is important to keep in mind that the modeled costs are only for the
availability in census blocks where people live. Especially in northern Wisconsin,
there are substantial public and private recreational lands. A goal of delivering a
robust mobile wireless capability to all land area in Wisconsin would likely be
substantially more costly.
Of note, the distribution of modeled costs between construction and operations is
different for wireless technologies than is the case for wireline. Specifically,
operations costs are a substantially more significant share of total costs. A primary
reason is that wireless towers need access to a fiber or microwave connection to
reach the Internet. These connections are modeled as leased facilities and a part of
the operations cost, not a part of the initial construction cost.
Wireless Upgrade Cost Per Capita
Wireless Upgrade Cost Per Beneficiary
Similar to the results for wireline upgrades, the cost of wireless broadband
upgrades required to fulfill the scenario are greater on per capita basis for the very
high and high unmet demand counties. Again this is due to topological and
population density reality. However, it is noteworthy that when considered on a per
beneficiary basis, the cost per beneficiary is nearly twice as great for low unmet
demand counties when compared with very high and high, unmet demand counties.
THE IMPACT
The impact of broadband provider investments on the Wisconsin economy and
quality of life has multiple components including:
The jobs and sales impacts from purchases of labor and supplies within
Wisconsin
Multiplier impacts as those businesses and workers spend a portion of resulting
earning and sales within the local economy
16

17. New jobs and sales enabled at the local level as a result of better available
broadband
More sustainable and vibrant communities facilitated through improved
broadband access.
The direct and economic multiplier impact of new construction as well as on-going
broadband provider operations expenditures is just the tip of the iceberg. The
improved economy and quality of life enabled by more available quality and
affordable broadband ties directly to the state’s vision of what can be achieved
through private and public partnerships to expand broadband access and use.
Wisconsin Specific Construction and Operations Expenditures
As noted above, billions of dollars of investment would be required to bring national
standard wireline connections and a robust mobile wireless option to every location
where Wisconsin residents live. However, to model the direct and economic
multiplier impact of those investments it is necessary to first estimate the dollar
amount of investment that will be purchased within the state of Wisconsin.
For purposes of this study, several assumptions are made:
1. Electronic components are purchased from venders outside the state of
Wisconsin
2. Spectrum purchases flow to out of state sources
3. Approximately one-third of tower and related equipment purchased in-state
4. Approximately fifty percent of wireline construction expenditures are from instate sources
5. Eighty percent of wireline operations assumed from in-state sources
6. Fifty percent of wireless operations assumed from in-state sources
With these assumptions, Wisconsin specific construction and operations
expenditures for each scenario are estimated as follows:
Within State
Construction
Expenditures
Scenario 1- Fill
national standard
wireline gaps
Scenario 2- Fill
robust mobile
wireless gaps
Total Five Year
Within State
Expenditures
$470,000,000
Within State
Operations
Expenditures
(Over Five Years)
$360,000,000
$240,000,000
$900,000,000
$1,140,000,000
$830,000,000
Modeled Wisconsin Economic Impact Attributed to Construction and Operations
17

18. The IMPLAN10 “Input-Output” is a common economic modeling tool utilized to
assess the overall impact on local jobs and output associated with a major new
construction investment. The model provides Wisconsin specific estimates of how a
new major expenditure will impact jobs, sales, wages, business profits, tax revenues
and other metric. For purpose of this study, the focus of the economic impact is on
two metric; jobs and sales.
Specifically the model considers two types of within state impacts. First is the direct
number of new jobs as a result of within state spending (purchases of goods,
services and labor) resulting from new broadband provider investments. Those paid
for work accomplished either in construction or operations as well as businesses
that make additional sales to support those activities will have additional income. A
portion of that new business and labor income will in-turn be spent at local stores
and businesses; as well as go towards payments such as local and state taxes. These
resulting additional expenditures create what is known as a “multiplier effect”. The
multiplier effect is measured in terms of additional jobs and sales that result.
Average Annual WI Total Job and Sales Impact Associated with Broadband Construction and
Operations Investment
Ave. Annual Impact on WI Jobs
Due to Construction
Ave. Annual Impact on WI Sales ($ Millions)
Due to Operations
The modeled impact of broadband investment estimates that just over 1,900 new
jobs would be created annually directly as a result of construction and network
operations for each of the two scenarios. Investments upgrading the wireline
network to a national standard in all locations would create an annual impact on
business sales just less than $300 million per year. The upgrades needed to deploy a
robust LTE network accessible to every resident where they live is estimated to
create just over $300 million per year.
10
http://implan.com
18

19. Average Annual Job Creation by Major Sector (examples)
WI Economic Sector
Construction
Telecommunications
Food Services
Architectural, engineering & related
Employment Services
Real Estate
Hospitals
Wholesale Trade
Retail Stores
Banks
Transport by Truck
Legal Services
National Standard
Wireline
4,129
840
392
380
215
187
150
136
119
100
73
56
Robust LTE Wireless
2,108
2,066
460
349
335
245
152
136
112
134
62
64
For both scenarios, approximately one-half of the Wisconsin jobs impact from
construction and operations is in the construction and telecommunications sectors.
Wireless builds have generally a smaller impact on construction and a larger impact
on the telecommunications sector compared with the wireline build. Many other
economic sectors are impacted through the “multiplier effect”. For example, food
services (restaurants and drinking places), on average gain 392 jobs annually in the
first scenario and 460 jobs annually in the second scenario as a result of multiplier
spending.
Impact for Wisconsin Priorities
As noted above, Wisconsin stakeholders recognize addressing the current gaps in
broadband availability is of particular importance for the state’s goals in education,
economic development, health care and public safety. Within this context, this
section briefly summarizes the economic and quality of life associated with
investments that would address the current gaps in national standard wireline and
statewide access to a robust wireless option.
Bettering the Lives of Wisconsin’s Youth Through Improved Education
19

20. How can filling WI broadband gaps benefit youth through improved education?
Students can connect with teachers and resources to facilitate home-based learning
and successful homework completion.
Parents are better able to monitor student’s progress.
Access to teaching and learning resources can be greatly expanded.
Youth can research and connect with college and career opportunities.
Learning loss associated with weather or illness can be minimized.
Youth can participate in on-line classes to supplement curriculum which may not
always be available locally.
Schools can more efficiently interact to meet the needs of the local community and
business employer needs.
Wisconsin residents of all ages can benefit from continuous on-line learning.
Youth can gain critical digital literacy skills needed for the 21st century workforce.
Extending the benefits of Wisconsin’s educational backbone networks beyond the
school door boundaries.
Fulfilling either or a combination of the goals of expanding access to national
standard wireline broadband connections or extending a robust wireless option to
areas of Wisconsin where not presently available has significant benefit for
Wisconsin youth. Specifically by facilitating access to better educational
opportunities. Several examples cited in the box above.
Wisconsin has had a longer-term policy of improving educational access through the
BadgerNet network. In addition, many schools across the state have benefited from
the high speed connections delivered by the WiscNet backbone. However anchor
institution data collected as a part of the national broadband data collection
initiative reveals that broadband speeds connecting schools are lowest in many of
the same areas where there remains substantial unmet demand for higher speed
broadband services.
20

21. Percent of Schools With Under 10 Mbps
Connections
Percent of Schools with Over 100 Mbps
Connections
In Wisconsin, approximately one-half of all schools located in areas identified as
very high or high demand for broadband are presently served by a connection less
than 10 mbps. Connections less than 10 mbps are very limiting with respect to the
ability of schools to effectively take advantage of the more robust teaching and
learning technologies, especially those that may be data intensive or utilize high
speed interactive video approaches for multiple classrooms. Today’s and certainly
future educational technologies are believed by many educational experts to require
at least a gigabit connection. At the present time very few schools in high and very
high demand areas of the state have even a connection to even a 100 Mbps. Only in
areas identified as very low demand is the percentage of schools with this higher
level of connectivity exceeding 25%.
There is strong support in Wisconsin for continuing to improve connectivity to
schools throughout the state. However to fully leverage the benefits of expanded
connections to schools, it is also necessary to have affordable and adequate
connectivity to homes to support the broader types of educational benefits
identified above.
21

22. Estimated Number of School Age Kids in Homes Without Access to a National Wireline
Standard Broadband Service Profiled by Unmet Demand Groups
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Approximately 98,000 school age youth (ages 5 to 17) live in areas that currently
lack a national wireline broadband service. About half of these youth live in the
counties identified as high unmet demand or as very high unmet demand. The
young people would be among important beneficiaries of policies or actions leading
to filling Wisconsin’s broadband gaps.
Expanding Economic Development, Especially Into the State’s Rural Counties
Project Annual Wisconsin Job Growth Dependent Upon Available Broadband
22

23. The Office of Economic Advisors, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
estimates long term employment projections by major industry categories11. The US
Department of Labor inventories skills required by detailed occupational and
industry categories12. Using this data source it is possible to identify the share of
occupations within each industry category that require skills involving the use of
computers and the Internet. These two data sources were combined to create the
pie chart above. Specifically approximately 35,000 new jobs are projected for
growth in Wisconsin each year that are tied in some way to the availability and use
of broadband. Communities or areas without access to adequate broadband will be
at a disadvantage in attracting or retaining these new jobs.
11http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/WORKnet/datablelist.aspx?menuselection=da
12http://www.onetonline.org/
23

24. Wisconsin Economic Sectors Classified by Broadband Enabled Growth Potential
Economic Sector
Percent of Occupation Tied to Broadband
Very Fast Growth
Business and Technical Services
Health Care
Fast Growth
Banking, Insurance and Real Estate
Retail and Personal Services
Wholesale, Transport and Utilities
Hospitality and Entertainment
Slow Growth
Construction
Private and Public Education
Manufacturing
Agriculture and Natural Resources
95%
96%
93%
80%
68%
27%
44%
86%
68%
57%
The above table classifies major economic sectors by broadband enabled growth
potential in Wisconsin. The relative growth potential is determined as a
combination of projected employment growth in Wisconsin and the percentage of
occupations within the sector that are tied to the availability and use of broadband
in some way. For example the two very fast growth economic sectors are both
projected to be rapidly growing sectors in Wisconsin and also involve an intensive
use of computers, databases and the Internet. On the other end of the spectrum, the
delivery of educational services does involve substantial broadband use, but the
sector is expected to grow relatively slowly in Wisconsin.
Comparison of Broadband Enabled Growth Sectors by Demand Group
Very High or High Unmet Demand Counties
Medium Unmet Demand Counties
Very Low or Low Unmet Demand Counties
24

25. The above chart illustrates that Counties classified as very high or high unmet
demand tend to have a lower concentration of “very fast” and a higher concentration
of “slow” broadband enabled growth sectors compared with the rest of the state.
This likely reflects in part the importance of broadband availability in business
location choices for fast growing sectors such as business/technical services and
health care. The overall implication for the largely rural regions of the state with
high or very high unmet demand is that current economic trends are less favorable
to future economic development compared with the other areas of the state where
broadband demand is more fulfilled.
How Can Broadband Upgrades Facilitate Rural Economic Development?
Quality web and interactive video connections make it more possible to live in a
rural area and telecommute to work elsewhere
Farms and ranches are better able to take advantage of precision agriculture
applications to improve profitability.
Businesses of all types can market products and services on-line
Second home-owners are able to stay in rural Wisconsin longer by staying in touch
with family and work via broadband.
Today’s visitors and tourists often prefer to stay in locations where there is a
convenient wifi connection to stay in touch.
On-line access becoming increasingly required to comply with government programs
and regulations.
Access to affordable and quality broadband is critical for today’s business and will
become increasingly important in the future. Several examples of how broadband
contributes to rural economic development are listed in the box above.
More than 90 percent of Wisconsin businesses rely on access
to the Internet to conduct daily activities13.
Access to adequate Internet is viewed as “critical” by
approximately three-quarters of Wisconsin businesses14.
Areas of Wisconsin that do not have available national standard wireline and/or a
robust wireless option will be at a significant disadvantage in attracting and
retaining jobs.
13LinkWisconsin
14LinkWisconsin
business demand survey, 2013
business demand survey 2013
25

26. Estimated Number of Annual Jobs and Main Street Sales15($Millions) Retained or Gained in
Areas The Would Receive a Broadband Upgrade by Demand Group
Annual Jobs Retained or Gained in Areas
Receiving Upgrade
Annual Main Street Business Sales Retained
or Gained in Areas Receiving Upgrade
($Millions)
More than 2,000 jobs annual are projected to be retained or gained in areas that
would receive a broadband upgrade if one or both of the two major scenarios
proposed in this study is accomplished. These jobs are those enabled by better
available broadband and are in addition the jobs that would be created from
broadband construction and operation. In rural Wisconsin new job growth from
telecommuting, expanded tourism or business development improves the overall
viability of Main Street. It is estimated that approximately $80 million of“Main
Street” sales would be retained or gained in areas that receive an upgrade. Most of
those economic gains would go to the predominantly rural counties identified as
very high, high or medium unmet demand.
Estimated sales by retail and service business in areas where upgrades are
implemented. Data source is IMPLAN.
15
26

27. Improving Health Care Access
Health care employs nearly 400,000 people in Wisconsin, and the sector is projected
to grow rapidly over the next several years (projected to increase about 2 percent
per year). The sector is going through dynamic change with rapid deployment and
use of integrated electronic medical records, increasing use of video and web based
technologies to improve patient access in rural areas, creative approaches to patient
care at home and other applications. About 96 percent of health care occupations
rely in some way on broadband availability and use.
Profile of Medical Facility Locations Relative to Broadband Availability for Selected Wisconsin
Counties
The above markers indicate the location of medical facilities included within the
Wisconsin “anchor institution” database16, profiled for several northern Wisconsin
Counties. The map layers are color coded to reflect broadband availability at the
census block level. People living in those census blocks with a red or brown color do
not have access to any wired or wireless broadband provider that offers a national
standard service (at least 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload). Census Blocks
indicated by a yellow color meet national standard. Those that are green exceed the
national standard. Of note, in northern Wisconsin as is the case throughout the state,
the medical facilities are located in locations with good broadband connectivity.
However, for much of the surrounding area, the available broadband service option
does not meet the national speed standard.
16
National Broadband Map, December 2012.
27

28. 28

29. How Can Filling Residential Broadband Gaps Improve Health Access?
Patients can save time and money by monitoring their health symptoms at
home rather than traveling to the doctor’s office.
Older residents can stay in their homes longer by accessing care at home
rather than having to move closer to medical care.
Residents living in outlying areas can avoid potentially unsafe travel on
winter roads.
Doctors and nurses living in outlying areas can respond to emergencies
from their home providing faster service and overall efficiencies for the
rural health care system.
Residents can research solutions to health problems on-line and get
information on preventive care options.
Many home-based health care options can be accomplished with either a national
standard wireline broadband connection or an equivalent robust wireless solution.
Those residents living in areas that lack access to either of these technology options
would benefit the most from additional broadband investment reaching unserved
and underserved populations.
29

30. Estimated Number of People in Homes Without Access to a National WirelineOR Wireless
Standard Broadband Service Profiled by Unmet Demand Groups
Unmet Demand County Group:
High or Very High
Medium
Low or Very Low
Approximately 125,000 Wisconsin residents live in areas where there is neither an
advertised wireline providing national standard service, or an equivalent wireless
optioin. About 80 percent of these residents live in counties classified as high or
very high unmet broadband demand.
30

31. Strengthening Public Safety
Public safety is a complex and diverse sector. It includes multiple first responders,
law enforcement, fire, E-911, health care, disaster preparedness federal agencies
and others. Public safety also includes access to alerts and other safety information
by people at home, work or at play. Much of the public safety communications
needs are fulfilled through wireless networks.
Because the sector is so diverse with so many different local and regional entities
involved, the data on public safety connection is also limited.
Broadband Speeds17 Connecting Wisconsin Public Safety Functions
According to anchor institution data collected for the National Broadband Map,
nearly 80 percent of Wisconsin public safey facilities do not presently subscribe to
broadband. Among those that do subscribe, approximately one-third subscribe to
services that deliver a speed lower than the national standard. Only about one-fifth
benefit from broadband connectivity in excess of 25 Mbps. In Wisconsin, like many
other states, mobile public safety communication is primarily accomplished through
dedicated land mobile radio. The Internet is relatively less utilized for this reason.
Nevertheless, efforts to reduce broadband gaps, especially those associated with the
provision of a robust wireless option can lead to benefits.
17
National Broadband Map anchor institution data summary
31

32. How Can Wisconsin Public Safety Benefit From Expanded LTE Service?
First responders can more easily locate accidents or other emergencies in remote
locations.
First responders can both access and send data and images to the hospital from the
scene of the emergency saving lives.
Truckers and other travelers can receive emergency weather and other alerts.
Law enforcement and others can more seamlessly communicate across
jurisdictions as required for effective response.
Emergency vehicle fleets can be more efficiently dispatched and managed.
While the public safety community will likely continue relying on land mobile radio
as the primary form of mobile emergency communication for some time, the above
list includes several ways a robust LTE network can further enhance emergency
response and communication.
Current Location of Robust LTE Wireless Network (Designated as Green)
32

33. While the build-out of a robust LTE wireless network is being accomplished rapidly
in Wisconsin, the availability map illustrates a current disparity. The more
populated southern half of the state is more heavily served by these wireless
options. The northern counties have larger gaps in service.
Improvements in public safety communication not only benefit local residents in
those areas where upgrades occur. They would benefit everyone who may travel to
more remote locations of the state for recreation, business or visiting family and
friends.
Overall, public safety response and preparedness would be
enhanced on about 50% of Wisconsin’s land area if the
current gaps in the LTE wireless network were filled.
CONCLUSION
At a high level the greatest unmet demand for broadband in Wisconsin is primarily
in the more rural counties located in the northern half of the state as well as in the
southwest corner of Wisconsin. Every county in Wisconsin will potentially benefit
from filling broadband service gaps. However those counties that have a very high
or high demand for broadband stand to benefit the most.
In short, continued efforts to expand the availability of affordable broadband
throughout Wisconsin can “level the playing field” to ensure all residents and
businesses in the state can have a prosperous and sustainable future.
33

34. APPENDIX A
Very Low and Low Unmet Demand Counties
Buffalo
Survey
Responses
97
Unmet
Demand
18%
Winnebago
Survey
Responses
129
Unmet
Demand
41%
Ozaukee
84
Vernon
58
23%
Rock
141
41%
24%
Florence
72
42%
Wood
221
29%
Green Lake
65
43%
Kenosha
208
30%
Eau Claire
118
43%
Milwaukee
75
32%
Polk
90
43%
Racine
40
32%
Shawano
30
43%
Waukesha
66
35%
Jefferson
145
43%
Sauk
1,327
36%
Walworth
54
44%
Barron
92
37%
Unmet
Demand
58%
Medium Unmet Demand Counties
Dane
Survey
Responses
156
Unmet
Demand
46%
Portage
Survey
Responses
66
Outagamie
93
46%
Dunn
144
58%
Sheboygan
62
47%
Rusk
173
58%
Burnett
74
47%
Columbia
165
59%
Marathon
408
47%
Oneida
228
60%
Waupaca
63
48%
Iowa
205
60%
Brown
48
48%
Fond du Lac
1028
61%
Oconto
65
52%
Dodge
54
61%
Chippewa
172
54%
Price
543
62%
Iron
53
55%
Juneau
52
62%
Adams
96
55%
Bayfield
114
62%
34

35. High and Very High Unmet Demand Counties
Marquette
Survey
Responses
157
Unmet
Demand
63%
Ashland
Survey
Responses
85
Unmet
Demand
69%
Waushara
49
63%
Crawford
167
69%
Clark
179
64%
Pierce
137
70%
Jackson
174
64%
Grant
108
70%
Lafayette
142
65%
Taylor
195
72%
Richland
165
65%
Door
76
72%
Marinette
159
66%
Washburn
48
73%
Forest
175
66%
Kewaunee
242
74%
Douglas
78
67%
Lincoln
177
77%
Langlade
209
67%
Vilas
298
78%
St. Croix
625
68%
Inadequate Survey Responses to Determine Unmet Demand
Calumet
Survey
Responses
16
Unmet
Demand
NA
Monroe
Survey
Responses
20
Unmet
Demand
NA
Green
22
NA
Pepin
9
NA
La Crosse
Manitowoc
17
NA
Sawyer
29
NA
16
NA
Trempealeau
28
NA
Menominee
2
NA
Washington
21
NA
35

36. APPENDIX B
Percent County Population with Access To:
County
Adams
Ashland
Barron
Bayfield
Brown
Buffalo
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Dunn
Eau Claire
Florence
Fond du Lac
Forest
Grant
Green
Green Lake
Iowa
Iron
Jackson
Jefferson
Juneau
Kenosha
Kewaunee
La Crosse
Lafayette
Langlade
Lincoln
National Std. Wireline
Service
73%
76%
93%
61%
96%
83%
73%
90%
85%
53%
83%
63%
97%
85%
75%
79%
82%
91%
46%
85%
61%
74%
78%
75%
71%
71%
63%
86%
82%
98%
62%
93%
64%
69%
74%
36
Robust LTE Wireless Service
55%
76%
93%
61%
96%
54%
71%
87%
84%
40%
65%
52%
95%
80%
68%
79%
82%
91%
46%
82%
56%
57%
56%
75%
65%
71%
56%
84%
32%
98%
62%
93%
38%
60%
63%

37. Manitowoc
County
Marathon
Marinette
Marquette
Menominee
Milwaukee
Monroe
Oconto
Oneida
Outagamie
Ozaukee
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage
Price
Racine
Richland
Rock
Rusk
Sauk
Sawyer
Shawano
Sheboygan
St. Croix
Taylor
Trempealeau
Vernon
Vilas
Walworth
Washburn
Washington
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago
Wood
90%
(Continued)
National Std. Wireline
Service
83%
64%
78%
0%
100%
75%
72%
72%
94%
99%
78%
73%
84%
83%
65%
97%
57%
93%
68%
85%
72%
61%
94%
90%
49%
77%
81%
65%
92%
69%
96%
99%
72%
62%
96%
88%
37
82%
Robust LTE Wireless Service
75%
64%
67%
0%
100%
75%
66%
69%
94%
97%
19%
66%
59%
75%
30%
97%
52%
91%
56%
82%
61%
47%
91%
76%
37%
48%
70%
48%
88%
69%
94%
99%
69%
62%
96%
82%

38. 38