OTA Consulting SAM SBA8A Entity

Oconee County, SC, is a rural region in SC with a population of

approximately 76,355 (Oconee County, 2020). In SC, 98.7% of the

population have access to 10 Mbps of high-speed internet, however, 35.1%

of residents remain without internet (Broadband search, 2020). Broadband

high speed is currently defined by the Federal Communication Commission

(FCC) as the download speed of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at

least 3 Mbps (FCC, 2020). Not all South Carolinians have access to

internet, creating a digital divide within the state (Broadband search,

2020.). Approximately 3% of the population has no wired internet access

available (Broadband search, 2020). Nationally, approximately 24 million

people live in “digital deserts,” and of those, 19 million live in rural

communities (Barley, McCord, Hulkower, and Pepin, 2019).With the ever evolving

technological advances, broadband access is imperative for

economic stability, healthcare access, food, and education (Benda,

Veinot, Sieck, Anker, 2020). Broadband connectivity has been linked as a

social determinant of health, along with education and employment

opportunities (Baurley, McCord, Hulkower, and Pepin, 2019). Lack of

broadband access within rural communities can inhibit education at all

levels, job placement, and economic growth by not attracting new job

opportunities to the area (2019).

12. Briefly Describe the Technical Objectives and Challenges?

This project seeks to expand broadband access in rural communities

utilizing Citizens Broadband Radio Spectrum (CBRS) as a band of radio

frequency spectrum from 3.5 to 3.7 GHz that the Federal Communications

Commission (FCC) has designated for sharing among three tiers of users,

including incumbent users, priority licensees, and generally authorized.

Currently used in campus, industrial, and public safety, this represents

a low-cost way to implement a private wide-area network for residents of

Oconee County SC. This project will utilize a multidisciplinary approach

with collaborations from Oconee County Economic Development, the School

District of Oconee County, and Oconee County Housing and Urban

Development (HUD).

Market Opportunity?

Expected project outcomes and measures include:

Increased access to high speed broadband services across Oconee

County. Improved job placement and training. Increased economic growth by

attracting new businesses to the area. Increased availability of health

services through telemedicine platforms. Decrease in the “digital divide”

within the state of SC.  Equal access to broadband services within HUD

zoned areas.