01. The Problem:
In order to ensure sustainable economic growth through productivity and innovation, the County engaged NE&S to Develop a Strategic Broadband Plan to identify feasible alternatives and best approaches and a establish a roadmap for improving broadband capability in the County
The key elements of the strategic roadmap included but not limited to:
- Based on the emerging socio-economic trends, development of detailed forecast models for demand for broadband services across all communities in the region;
- Development of investment options and associated timelines according to cost estimates (deployment and operational) cost versus revenue forecasts; and,
- Development of a business model to deploy and operate broadband infrastructure in the region.
02. How we Helped:
NE&S services provided within the assignment:
- Evaluated similar municipal broadband initiatives by gathering benchmark data and market analysis including case write-up.
- Incorporated lessons learned from other community broadband implementations.
- Analyzed market and industry trends, legislative barriers, market opportunities and other pertinent information.
- Identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the existing broadband climate.
- Developed understanding of the County’s competitive position related to a set of benchmarks.
- Analyzed feasibility and options for broadband services
- Made recommendations and proposed a future direction.
- Financial modeling and forecasting of wholesale and retail broadband services
03. Impact:
NE&S provided a complete Broadband Strategy report to Northumberland County, which included six components – County Broadband Capabilities, Reasonable Standards, Market Research, Feasibility Study, SWOT Analysis, and Broadband Strategy.