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
