Objective
Expand and encourage local organizations (and service providers) to deploy or amplify free public Wi–Fi so that residents across the three counties can access high-speed internet service in public and private spaces across the Hill Country.
Description
Public Wi–Fi is commonly found at restaurants, schools, transit stations, libraries, hotels, hospitals, coffee shops, bookstores, fuel stations, department stores, supermarkets, and RV parks/campgrounds. Your community may not have every location on this list, but it has public institutions or comparable substitutes such as a courthouse or event center. Typically, Wi–Fi is free to the public in these locations. Why? Because Wi–Fi is an asset to communities and institutions, financially and practically. Wi–Fi promotes customers staying in a location longer, boosts customer retention rates and can lead to larger sales/purchases.
For institutions that do not provide free Wi-Fi, customers are tasked with finding alternative locations to study online, telework, shop remotely, or engage with e-commerce. It does not serve the financial health or long-term growth of a county or its institutions to exclude public Wi–Fi from frequently accessed locations in the community. Specifically in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano, community institutions are not offering enough public Wi–Fi . In Blanco, only 24% of businesses offer free Wi-Fi, according to survey responses. In Burnet, the number is even lower with only 20% of businesses indicating they provide free Wi-Fi. In Llano, 26% of businesses offer free Wi-Fi. These numbers indicate the stark need for businesses and other community organizations to either adopt or amplify free public Wi–Fi.
Note: For the sake of this action plan, community institutions are defined as organizations, businesses, or buildings frequented often (once a week for pleasure or business) by residents of Blanco, Burnet or Llano counties. Examples include libraries, churches, schools, courthouses, businesses, event centers, etc.
Actions
- Within one month of this plan, each community should document and promote an inventory of public Wi-Fi availability in the community, focusing on institutions that are frequented most often by residents.
- Schools in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County. Superintendents should poll school buildings.
- Businesses in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
- Chambers of Commerce can issue a request to all members requesting feedback on public Wi-Fi offerings
- Public input can provide further information
- Libraries in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
- Government buildings in Blanco, Burnet, and Llano County
- Courthouses
- City Halls
- Other frequently-accessed locations in the community
- Parks & Recreation Centers
- Event Centers
- Analyze results of this inventory and prior surveys to determine community areas and community institutions most in need of public Wi-Fi expansion or creation.
- Factors to consider:
- Which spaces do students use to learn?
- Do business owners use this space to take part in e-commerce?
- How often do residents frequent a given space? Daily? Weekly? Monthly?
- Would an institution have increased foot traffic if they offered free Wi-Fi ?
- Are public Wi-Fi hubs located in advantageous locations?
- Chambers of Commerce should consolidate results of the Wi-Fi inventory on a website.
- Aforementioned community liaisons should meet with stakeholders one-on-one to discuss Wi-Fi expansion options within three months of completing the above.
- Explore advantageous partnerships for businesses, broadband providers, and institutions to expand Wi-Fi throughout the community.
- Conduct follow-up meetings as necessary.
- Meet with providers (RDOF & CAF winners and community providers) to determine if they can assist in public Wi-Fi expansion efforts.
- Can current infrastructure be expanded to meet public Wi-Fi needs?
- Is additional infrastructure needed to meet public Wi-Fi needs?
- What steps and partnerships with providers are needed to expand public Wi-Fi in the community?
- Chambers of Commerce, EDCs, community websites and social media should identify and promote community institutions (such as schools, libraries, businesses, event centers, city halls, etc.) that have public Wi-Fi to increase foot traffic. More people frequenting businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, and other organizations leads to economic success for those businesses and community.
Responsible Parties
Community and business leaders; broadband providers; residents; community anchor institutions; local government; civic leaders and organization members.
Timeline
Public Wi-Fi is the most immediate way to get connectivity within a rural community. Each county should begin its Wi-Fi inventory within one month of receiving this plan by soliciting responses from community institutions.
References
