Broadband Skills Research for the State of Michigan

Client: Cisco Networking Academy, United States.

Project: Consulting and guidance on the technical skill sets needed by businesses and communities during and after a comprehensive broadband initiative, with focus on gaps that are common across experiences. SNG provided a timeline, based on experience gained with communities outside of Michigan, of the different types of jobs and opportunities created as a result of a successful community broadband implementation – one year, three years, five years.

Conducted: October – December 2009

Results: Analysis of data on usage and impacts collected by SNG, international literature reviews, and key informant interviews revealed that:

• Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes are replacing connectivity as the primary barriers to broadband adoption.
• Productivity and Growth will come from more sophisticated and intensive uses
• SMEs and Rural Areas face greatest challenges

Client: Cisco Networking Academy, United States.

Project: Consulting and guidance on the technical skill sets needed by businesses and communities during and after a comprehensive broadband initiative, with focus on gaps that are common across experiences. SNG provided a timeline, based on experience gained with communities outside of Michigan, of the different types of jobs and opportunities created as a result of a successful community broadband implementation – one year, three years, five years.

Conducted: October – December 2009

Results: Analysis of data on usage and impacts collected by SNG, international literature reviews, and key informant interviews revealed that:

• Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes are replacing connectivity as the primary barriers to broadband adoption.
• Productivity and Growth will come from more sophisticated and intensive uses
• SMEs and Rural Areas face greatest challenges