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Central Iowa Broadband Internet Study and Maps

The Greater Des Moines Partnership released the results of the Central Iowa Broadband Internet Study. The Study was produced by HR Green in partnership with Bâton Global, SmartSource Consulting and Kielkopf Advisory Services. The Study was initiated in early 2021 for 11 counties in the region with a goal to create a framework under which governments, the public and providers can align in new and innovative ways to create solutions to the digital divide present in Central Iowa.

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Dashboard Maps | Public Forums | Survey Partners

Broadband Users Dashboard Maps

The Broadband Users Dashboard Maps help outline a path where technology would be best matched to the varying demographics of the region to crate the most cost-efficient and highest impact solutions in each area. Each map highlights a key component of the overall deployment process — outlining demographics, technology plans, infrastructure deployment costs and site assessment.

Demographics Map
Proposed Technology Plan Map
Infrastructure Deployment Cost Map
Site Assessment Map
Central Iowa Broadband Survey Results Map

Demographics

The Demographics Map provides an analysis of the population makeup of the DSM region. Each individual census block has been identified as urban, suburban, rural or remote based on population densities.

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Proposed Technology Plan

The Proposed Technology Plan Map helps private sector providers identify areas that may offer opportunities to economically deploy the best fit services which will drive substantial improvement to the overall broadband condition of the region. Areas where fiber-to-the-home can be economically deployed (through leveraging federal and state grant programs) have been identified as potential fiber deployment areas. Other areas, where fiber deployment costs would likely be prohibitive, have been identified as potential high-capacity fixed wireless deployment areas. Remote areas that do not appear to be economically viable for fixed wireless have been noted as best served through LEO satellites or other technologies.

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Infrastructure Deployment Cost

The Infrastructure Deployment Cost Map provides government planners and private sector providers with underlying data which is intended to provide a likely cost per passing infrastructure buildout cost at a census block level. This data also reflects a "grant adjusted" cost, recognizing the significant investments of state and federal grant monies that are both currently and prospectively available under various funding programs.

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Site Assessment

The Site Assessment Map combines the Central Iowa Broadband Survey results with the infrastructure deployment projections to help government planners and private sector providers visualize potential sites for broadband deployment. The site assessment rates are based on a grant-adjusted cost of deployment basis. These rates have been combined with additional factors such as current speed and satisfaction levels. Areas where current speed tests, overall satisfaction and cost of deployment are low represent the best potential opportunities for providers to build economically and to quickly add market share. These factors make them areas which may be prioritized as potential market expansions. If costs remain prohibitive, even with grant funding, local and county governments may want to consider how to best leverage ARPA fund funds or other local dollars to encourage buildouts in lower potential opportunity areas.

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Central Iowa Broadband Survey Results

The maps below reflect the response received throughout The Partnership's Central Iowa Broadband Internet Study. The first map shows participants' overall satisfaction with current broadband providers, and the second map reflects the results of individual speed tests.

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Satisfaction Score Map

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The residential survey measured:

Broadband internet availability and consumer experience to identify gaps that need to be addressed.
Whether broadband internet is available at a particular address.
Other limiting factors such as reliability and affordability.

The business survey measured:

Internet availability and experience to identify gaps.
What impacts current broadband internet service (and associated gaps) are having on business operations and growth.

More than 4,500 residents and businesses participated in the Central Iowa Broadband Internet Study survey. The Survey results, along with other data collected and analyzed through this process, give internet providers, government officials and communities the direction for short-term and long-term funding options and solutions.

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Central Iowa Broadband Internet Survey Public Forums

The Partnership held four Broadband Internet Survey online public forums on issues affecting broadband access and adoption. Forum participants heard directly from residents about how broadband has impacted their lives in four vital areas: rural broadband, remote learning, remote work and remote health care.