BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/259801
47 Left: William Sproull Chairman IEDC "I had doubts about the validity of some of the economic outcomes that other people were claiming, and was worried about the backlash of failure," said Settles, "So I approached IEDC and its leaders agreed to support the survey efort as a service to their members and the general public. We've been working together on a survey every year since then." When Settles started surveying, few had thought much about the economic impact of having fber to the home... or of the negative impact of lacking fber. Settles says fber did not start to get onto development ofcials' agendas until 2009. "I'll go out on a limb and say that the issue of broadband, or at least the need to provide feedback on the issue, has become more important to rural communities," said Settles. "From 2006 to 2009, muni wireless defned community broadband, and these networks were heavily marketed to urban areas as well. Only in 2009 did broadband, mostly fber, became a rural issue among IEDC members who responded." Tis year, he'll be joined at the podium with William Sproull, IEDC chair and President and CEO of the Richardson Chamber of Sproull led revitalization of Richardson's telecom- based economy OVERCOMING THE PERILS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISM Settles says three kinds of negative participants are often present in the daylong broadband planning sessions he conducts: • Tose, often elected ofcials, who as in the days of muni Wi-Fi, are jumping up and down demanding quick action to build something even if the needs assessment is lacking or missing entirely. • A person or persons given direct responsibilities to execute a broadband project, but who may have little knowledge of what broadband is about. • Tose who really are not sold on broadband or its value, and just want the issue to go away. Usually one of the people in this camp has a role that is important for the project to be successful. Te solution: Be prepared! Discussion leaders must learn as much as possible about local economics, geography, incumbent carriers and – most importantly – community "wise people" who must be brought into the discussions. Commerce, Metroplex Technology Business Council and the Richardson Economic Development Partnership. Sproull has led the revitalization of Richardson's telecom based economy through a focus on industry and technology diversifcation. He built the MTBC into the state of Texas's largest trade association for technology companies. He led the RCC in 2010 through the rigorous US Chamber Accreditation program successfully, earning the highest 5 Star rating conferred by the US Chamber for accreditation. In 2005, he helped lead a statewide coalition that got legislation passed in Texas to create the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, a half-billion investment fund. Governor Rick Perry of Texas has appointed him to three consecutive two-year terms on the Fund's Advisory Committee, and appointed him Chairman in 2010. Te Metroplex Technology Business Council inducted Sproull as the inaugural member of their Hall of Fame in 2010 by declaring him a Tech Titan. BBC_SummitPromo_Feb14.indd 47 2/12/14 5:54 PM