New Statewide Broadband Insights and County-Level Technology Adoption Data Released at Connect Ohio’s Quarterly Forum

For Immediate Release

June 24, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-214-6755 or amurphy@connectohio.org

Download the New Statewide Technology Data

Since 2008, home broadband adoption in Ohio has increased to 66%, mobile broadband use has increased to 31%, and more than 98% of households have the ability to access high-speed Internet services.

COLUMBUS – On Friday, June 24 at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus, Connect Ohio hosted the 2011 second quarter Technology Association Meeting with 59 stakeholders, broadband providers, and library and community representatives in attendance.

Since June 2008, Connect Ohio has provided mapping and research to identify broadband opportunities for Ohio’s citizens. Since its initial assessments, Connect Ohio has worked with both public and private partners to develop programs to increase broadband availability, adoption, and use.

New statewide and county-level technology adoption data was discussed at today’s meeting. The data was gathered by Connect Ohio and Connected Nation, Connect Ohio’s parent organization, through a survey of Ohio adults. The detailed technology analysis explores adoption of computers and broadband use into households throughout the state. This data is available for viewing on Connect Ohio’s website.

Tom Fritz, Connect Ohio’s executive director, along with Tom Koutsky, Connected Nation’s chief policy counsel, and Chris McGovern, research development manager, highlighted key data from the research, including the following:

• Currently, 80% of Ohioans own a computer, which is an increase from 2008 (76%), but a decrease from 2010 (82%). While traditional computer use is leveling, there is a marked increase in the number of Ohioans who rely on a mobile device as their primary access to broadband service.
• 60% of Ohioans own a desktop computer and 45% own a laptop computer. Reliance on laptop computers and other portable devices is surging.
• Home broadband adoption has increased to 66% in 2011 from 55% in 2008. However, home broadband adoption leveled from last year, which was also 66%.
• Ohio’s home broadband adoption rate is above the national average for 2011, which is 63%.
• 72% of Ohio adults either subscribe to home broadband service or use mobile broadband service.
• Average download speeds have steadily increased in Ohio, increasing from 1.7 Mbps in 2008 to 6.3 Mbps in 2011.

New county-level technology adoption data was also highlighted and the data for each of Ohio’s 88 counties will be released next week.

• In Franklin County, household broadband adoption grew from 67% in 2008 to 72% in 2011.
• Crawford County broadband adoption grew from just 31% in 2008 to 69% in 2011, a 123% growth.
• Meigs, Monroe, and Noble counties’ household broadband adoption growth was more than 150% between 2008 and 2011.

The meeting also detailed the current status of the Every Citizen Online (ECO) program, a two-year effort to increase sustainable broadband adoption for more than 200,000 state residents by providing free computer training sessions throughout Ohio. Since the program’s launch in late December, 222 locations are offering the ECO program, more than 7,200 Ohio adults have taken advantage of the free basic computer training, and more than 8,600 have registered for training through the online site http://eco.connectohio.org/.

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Manager Bart Winegar gave attendees an overview of current last-mile assistance projects in Ohio, which include 8 counties. The last-mile projects offer assistance to Ohio communities that lack access to broadband by identifying, researching, and mapping unserved areas and interacting with local planning teams to determine the best practices to increase broadband capacity in that area. Winegar also presented details of recent broadband expansion activity.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Connect Ohio to Release New Statewide Broadband Insights and County-Level Technology Adoption Data

MEDIA ADVISORY

June 23, 2011

Connect Ohio to Release New Statewide Broadband Insights and County-Level Technology Adoption Data

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is releasing new statewide and county-level technology adoption data at the organization’s quarterly Technology Association meeting.

On Friday, June 24, Connect Ohio and Connected Nation will share the results of a survey of 1,201 Ohio adults that explores the adoption of technology in households throughout the state, as well as in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Below are highlights of the state data that will be presented:

• Since 2008, home broadband adoption in Ohio has increased from 55% of households to 66%. In the last year, this growth trend has slowed, while dial-up subscriptions have continued to decline.
• Since 2008, mobile broadband adoption has increased from 13% to 31%, with the largest increases in the last two years.
• Although home broadband adoption has slowed in the last year, more adults are using mobile broadband options, leading to an overall increase in broadband usage – from 69% in 2010 to 72% in 2011.

Since June 2008, Connect Ohio has provided mapping and research to identify broadband opportunities for Ohio’s citizens. Since its initial assessments, Connect Ohio has worked with both public and private partners to develop programs to increase broadband availability, adoption, and use. The meeting will include a review of a few of the specific projects and changes that have been brought about through these partnerships.

Connect Ohio has extended its services to now include the Every Citizen Online program, which offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio in an effort to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the training. Already, nearly 6,000 Ohio adults have taken advantage of this free program.

Who:

• Tom Fritz, Executive Director, Connect Ohio
• Tom Koutsky, Chief Policy Counsel, Connected Nation
• Chris McGovern, Research Development Manager, Connected Nation
• Representatives from Ohio government offices, libraries and educational organizations, and telecommunication companies

What: New Residential Technology Assessment results showing state and county technology adoption at Connect Ohio’s quarterly Technology Association meeting

When: Friday, June 24, 2011
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST

Where: Vern Riffe Center
31st Floor Conference Center, Rooms South B & C
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Contact: Amanda Murphy of Connect Ohio at (614) 214-6755 or
amurphy@connectohio.org.

Learn more about Connect Ohio’s Technology Association by visiting http://connectohio.org/partnership/steering_Committee.php.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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State Senator Joe Schiavoni Visits Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Every Citizen Online Free Adult Computer-Training Class

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

Nearly 600 adults have already received free computer and Internet training through Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County locations

COLUMBUS – On Saturday, June 18, State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D) of Ohio’s 33rd Senate District visited the Every Citizen Online free adult computer and Internet training class held at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s Newport Branch, located at 3730 Market Street, Youngstown. Also in attendance were Jeff Beebe, Connect Ohio state operations manager, Gary Simon, library technical services director, and Wayne Bartholomew, library computer class trainer.

“I believe many who want to learn to use the computer or the Internet aren’t aware of the powerful resources, such as this class, that are available to them,” said Senator Schiavoni. “The class was very beneficial to those participating and the instructor did a great job.”

“These classes are important in helping our residents become more adept with technology,” said Carlton A. Sears, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County director. “So many people either do not have computer access or do not fully appreciate what the Internet can provide that will be helpful in their lives. Basic computer and Internet skills are essential to functioning in contemporary society. Without this training, people can get left behind. What better place than a library for people to learn how to access information? The service is free, which enables everyone to participate.”

The Every Citizen Online program offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio in an effort to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the training, including the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Already, more than 6,000 Ohio adults have taken advantage of this free program. Of those adults, nearly 600 have received a portion of the training and 231 have completed the training in full through the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County offers training at several branches. Adults can register for the free training by contacting the library at (330) 744-8636.

The goal of the Every Citizen Online project, funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA)’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, is to train more than 200,000 state residents by early 2013 and to generate 75,000 new broadband adopters in Ohio. The scope of the 3-year program includes 80,000 training hours, more than 2,000 computers provided to libraries and community colleges, the immediate creation of 136 jobs, and a projected increase in direct economic growth of $36 million annually.

Learn more about the Every Citizen Online program by visiting eco.connectohio.org.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.




Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio




Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

State Senator Joe Schiavoni to visit Every Citizen Online free adult computer-training class

MEDIA ADVISORY

June 17, 2011

State Senator Joe Schiavoni to visit Every Citizen Online free adult computer-training class

COLUMBUS – The Every Citizen Online program offers free basic computer and Internet training to adults in Ohio in an effort to introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Connect Ohio has partnered with more than 200 libraries, community colleges, education and career centers across the state to offer the training. Already, nearly 6,000 Ohio adults have taken advantage of this free program.

The goal of the Every Citizen Online project, funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA)’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, is to train more than 200,000 state residents by early 2013 and to generate 75,000 new broadband adopters in Ohio. The scope of the 3-year program includes 80,000 training hours, more than 2,000 computers provided to libraries and community colleges, the immediate creation of 136 jobs, and a projected increase in direct economic growth of $36 million annually.

On Saturday, June 18, State Senator Joe Schiavoni will be visiting an Every Citizen Online training class at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s Newport Branch.

Who:

• Senator Joe Schiavoni (D), Ohio’s 33^rd Senate District

• Jeff Beebe, State Operations Manager, Connect Ohio

• Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County staff

What: Every Citizen Online free adult basic computer and Internet training class

When: Saturday, June 18, 2011

10:00 – 10:45 AM EST

Where: Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County

Newport Branch

3730 Market Street

Youngstown, Ohio 44507

Contact: Amanda Murphy of Connect Ohio at (614) 214-6755 or

amurphy@connectohio.org.

Learn more about the Every Citizen Online program by visiting eco.connectohio.org.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio

Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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Connect Ohio Applauds Knox Township Tower Dedication & Omnicity, Inc.’s Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability in Columbiana County

Connect Ohio Applauds Knox Township Tower Dedication & Omnicity, Inc.’s Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability in Columbiana County

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2011

The new MARCS tower will provide high-speed Internet access to hundreds of homes in Columbiana County and has already improved local first-responder communications.

Alliance, Ohio – Connect Ohio is pleased to be part of the collaborative efforts of Knox Township and Columbiana County officials, MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) program staff, Tri-County Tower, and Omnicity, Inc. to expand broadband access to residences, business, and schools throughout the area, as well as improving first-responder communications, with the dedication of the new Knox Township MARCS tower.

A dedication ceremony and formal ribbon-cutting event took place Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the tower’s location, which is directly across the street from Knox Elementary School, located at 2900 Knox School Road, Alliance.

The new MARCS tower was a nearly two-year project that began in 2009, with Columbiana County Port Authority and Omnicity, Inc. advocating the possibilities of broadband expansion. The infrastructure was completed in December 2010 and the broadband and communication connectivity was completed in Spring 2011. The tower stands 250 feet high and is supported by 3 piers that run 32 feet into the ground.

“This is the first tower in Ohio with fiber optics running to the tower itself, as well as a new technology known as WiMAX, which allows the opportunity for 4G capabilities and to upgrade connectivity speeds without replacing ground equipment,” said David Weddell, vice president of business development and corporate partnerships with Omnicity, Inc., a fixed-wireless Internet provider. “This represents our model for our future deployments. We’ll offer multiple services over this broadband connection.”

“A lot of people in this area have no Internet connection and some, not even cable,” said Columbiana County Commissioner Jim Hoppel. “This tower is a big advantage and it’s just a start. The community is very excited.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Columbiana County, 43% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.* Additional Columbiana County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/columbiana. OmniCity, Inc. began serving customers in the Knox Township area on April 1, 2011. The company plans to eventually serve about 300 homes from this single tower, and deploy additional towers and broadband service in the near future.

“This project is a great example of what can be accomplished with public-private partnerships to serve the fundamental needs of rural communities,” said Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager for Connect Ohio. “Hopefully, we can replicate this model in other rural areas.”

“Connect Ohio is providing two great things for us during this process,” said Weddell. “They are providing propagation studies and business models for us to know where to build and deploy, as well as assisting us with partnerships. Secondly, we can build it, but we need people to use it. Connect Ohio is helping with that by teaching adults how to use broadband (through the statewide Every Citizen Online program).”

For more information about the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.


Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio


Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

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