F o r B e a v e r, G a r f i e l d , I r o n , Ka n e a n d Wa s h i n g t o n C o u n t y

SOUTHWEST UTAH REGIONAL BROADBAND PLAN

Five County Association of Governments

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Status of Broadband Internet service stifles economic development in some rural areas while providing great opportunities in others

Working with federal land managers, although essential for expansion, is difficult and cumbersome

Demand for more data for education,

industry and health sectors is increasing

exponentially.

Cooperation between public and private

sector improves overall service

KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

1. PROLIFERATION OF A VARIETY OF OPTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, HIGH-SPEED RESIDENTIAL INTERNET SERVICE

2. REDUNDANCY AND HIGHER BANDWIDTH IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS, BUSINESS PARKS AND OTHER POTENTIAL SITES FOR BUSINESSES TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES

3. INCREASED BANDWIDTH IN SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC ACCESS SITES TO ACCOMMODATE GREATER DATA USAGE

4. IMPROVED COOPERATION BETWEEN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO EXPAND THE NETWORK OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

REGIONAL GOALS

Disseminate information about broadband mapping tool to prospective businesses

Development of detailed broadband plans for local jurisdictions

Enhance broadband database to

include available infrastructure and

project schedules

Improve coordination with the Utah

Education Network (UEN) to expand

broadband access and capacity

PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS

Refine grant policies to provide broadband service for small providers in rural and isolated areas

State Liaison Program for cooperating with

public land managers

Remove barriers and support the private

sector to lead the charge to expand

broadband infrastructure

Ongoing regional broadband coordination

PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS