The market research will help Redwood Coast Connect to estimate how many households and worksites have access to broadband Internet service in the four-county area. The survey also will measure how many residents have no access and how much they would be willing to pay to obtain it.
The findings about demand will be combined with a map of existing broadband infrastructure. Market projections will be packaged with alternatives for making make broadband service feasible in the four-county region.
Redwood Coast Connect will issue its final report in June for consideration by the general public, policy makers, the business community, private investors, telecommunication providers and others interested in bringing broadband access to North Coast communities. Included in the report will be a template for mobilizing the four counties and steps for other communities to conduct similar planning efforts, suited to their unique circumstances.
Redwood Coast Connect is a project of Humboldt State University in partnership with Redwood Coast Rural Action. More information is available at http://redwoodcoastconnect.humboldt.edu/ or 707-826-3919. Funding comes from the California Emerging Technology Fund, the Headwaters Fund, the McLean Foundation, Humboldt Area Foundation and the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission.