RES 043 Draft 01 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ubiquitous gigabit (one gigabit per second) connectivity throughout Hawaii by 2018, and the ultimate purpose of ensuring that all of Hawaii's citizens have access to high- speed broadband at affordable prices. Towards this end, the HBI directed State officials and agencies to work together and with other levels of government, the University of Hawaii (UH), broadband providers, and other stakeholders to create and implement plans, policies, and programs to achieve the goals of the Initiative. Throughout, the various State agencies have continued their broadband activities, directed by statute, enabled by grants, or executed in furtherance of the HBI. These activities have included program related initiatives and projects as well as proposed legislation in furtherance of the HBI and other synergistic programs and initiatives. In 2012, the State Broadband Strategic Plan was developed to provide information and a framework for the creation of policies and programs to address the challenges faced in meeting both state and national broadband goals. The Plan supported grant -seeking at the State and county levels to implement the recommended policies, programs, and activities to advance broadband access and use statewide. To best inform the Plan, provider and stakeholder review and input was sought as well as input from county officials and multiple state agencies. Since the establishment of the Hawaii Broadband Initiative the focus has been on establishing key strategic digital infrastructure including a carrier neutral cable landing station on Oahu and the neighbor islands to lower the cost barrier for trans -Pacific fiber optic cables to land in Hawaii, to create a robust broadband network in Hawaii, to extend gigabit broadband to the entire state and to create an environment in Hawaii for the global digital economy to thrive. Currently, most of the trans -Pacific fiber projects are bypassing Hawaii. These cables are crucial in enabling broadband service in Hawaii and keeping Hawaii connected and competitive in the global marketplace. Hawaii Broadband Initiative priorities include planning, designing, and construction of a trans -Pacific fiber optic cable landing station using a public-private partnership model. Taking a holistic approach to the HBI, it is widely recognized that broadband touches the community by providing the foundation for innovation, economic development, healthcare, education, public safety, entertainment, etc. through the entire continuum of broadband connectivity including: