Wyoming Broadband Awareness and Wellness Initiative - 2005-2008

CostQuest Associates was hired by the State of Wyoming to map and assess barriers to deployment for providers. CostQuest identified unserved or gap areas and then estimated costs to deploy by technology type for those gap areas. Providers considering building-out their networks to serve these Broadband Gap areas were given a unique opportunity to look at the cost of deployment well in advance. Unlike other state efforts, the Wyoming study not only looked at the broadband coverage but also looked at the costs of various technologies to provide coverage in the gap areas. This data can then be used to encourage private enterprise to deploy.

Importance of Costs - Mapping alone only begins to measure the issue

Service Providers

Allows existing carriers to see additional market potential and allows carriers to identify opportunities. This gives providers much-needed return on investment information for un-served and underserved areas.
Extension of service, identification of the most efficient technology, and ROI.

Policy Makers

Understanding the investment necessary to deploy broadband services reveals a number of solutions for decision-makers.
Grant program efficiency, subsidy program efficiency, and setting appropriate tax incentives.