Rural Broadband Cooperative

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Rural Broadband Cooperative

• Senator E.J. Pipkin

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Mission

• The mission of the Rural Broadband Cooperative
  is to provide all residents and businesses access
  to broadband internet services. This capability
  will be used to stimulate economic development,
  create jobs, and improve the quality of life for
  all rural Maryland residents.

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Project Freedom

• Creating a fiber optic superhighway with off
  ramps from the NASA facility on Wallop Island
  through the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland
  connecting to the Pax. River Naval Air Station.

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Projected CostsSource Mid-Atlantic Broadband
Cooperative, Inc.
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Projected Costs (cont.)

• In addition to the fiber backbone network,
  Maryland must consider the end point
  connectivity. Which include separate
  communications huts, electronics, and site
  preparation for each end point.

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Projected Costs (cont.)
Total Construction Cost 29,097,500
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Project Freedom Sources(in millions)
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Funding Source Toll Dollars

• Given the goal of increased telecommuting to
  reduce traffic congestion. The desire to bring
  clean and environmentally friendly employers to
  Rural Maryland, the funding plan uses Maryland
  Transportation Authority (Mdta) toll revenue to
  fund 10,000,000 in fiber construction in fiscal
  2008.

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Funding Source Bond Proceeds

• Maryland bond proceeds totaling 2 million will
  be used in fiscal 2007 while awaiting 10
  million in toll dollars in 2008 from the Mdta to
  kick start the state contribution.

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Funding Source Federal Dollars

• Earmarked in Fiscal 2007- 2010 2 million per
  year from the NASA budget.

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Funding Source Shared Resources

• Existing dark fiber and both old and new private
  assets.

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Last Mile Service

• Those seeking service will have the option to
  choose service directly from the Co-Op or from a
  competitive alternative.
• Municipal companies wishing to offer Last Mile
  service will not be excluded.

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Why a Cooperative?

• The private sector has shown little interest in
  laying the needed fiber optic infrastructure in
  the foreseeable future.
• The demand for extensive broadband technology in
  rural Maryland is growing while access has
  remained limited.

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Management of Fiber Optic Infrastructure

• The Rural Cooperative shall manage and maintain
  the fiber optic cable.
• Like a traditional electric cooperative, the
  Rural Cooperative and the fiber optic cable shall
  be owned by the rate payers.
• No franchise shall be allowed for last mile
  service.

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Access to the Co-Op

• Broadband internet service will be available to
  any and all seeking residential and business
  applications.