What Do Communities Need to Know About Broadband, But Aren't Being Told

Community broadband project teams and stakeholders always hear that these network services are the new utility, they improve economic development and people use broadband to find jobs. But what's missing? After the news stories, conferences, Webinars and calls to colleagues, what do those folks driving broadband deployments still need to know? 

Jeffrey Gavlinski, one of the two primary people behind this year's successful Mountain Connect rural broadband conference, shares what he finds are the questions, answers and information that still elude individuals, many of whom don't even know what they don't know. Do we really understand what these networks should be producing? Are project teams being taught the a-b-c's of building good networks, and how to market them effectively before and after deployment? 

Knowledge is power, but what you don't know can kill even the most promising broadband plans. Gavlinski has attended plenty of conference, talks frequently with lots of people and stays on top of broadband news in preparation for his own conference. The industry is marketing a lot of sizzle these days, but is it giving those who need more news they can use enough steak and side dishes? This interview gives listeners an overview of the kinds of details required to fill in the knowledge gaps and where these details may be found. The role of consultants in filling these gaps is also examined.