By developing partnerships with local telecommunications providers, the State of North Dakota can provide internet services to rural and metro government agencies and schools thereby giving local providers the ability to offer new telecommunications services to area residents. The State of North Dakota will establish partnerships with local telecommunications providers to address current and future needs of STAGEnet relating to increased bandwidth, low network latency, reliable service, security, privacy, wireless connectivity, and low-cost access. As the single largest user of telecommunications networks, STAGEnet will ultimately drive the deployment of new telecommunications services that become available to local consumers.

Broadband services are no longer one of life’s luxuries. It is becoming a way of life. In tough economic times, the risk of pandemics, and the rising costs of fuel and energy, people are looking for alternate ways to conduct business. E-commerce, mobile computing, video conferencing, and Voice-Over-IP are all services that are becoming integrated as business standards for state governments or public schools.

In order for state government and education to deliver the necessary services to its people, a network infrastructure must be in place and available to all communities. To meet the business needs of STAGEnet’s stakeholders, bandwidth must continue to increase to support new technologies.

A multi-technology strategy to improve mobile connectivity can help address internet coverage issues in remote areas. In order to advance North Dakota’s statewide network, STAGEnet must be upgraded to extend greater bandwidth, broadband services, and depth to all rural communities using wireline, fiber optic, wireless, and other commercially viable emerging technologies.

North Dakotans are underserved in the area of Public Safety. Although the current infrastructure is adequate for voice telecommunications, limited bandwidth does not lend itself well for modern day data services. Emergency communications in North Dakota requires a statewide mobile broadband emergency communications network that is accessible anywhere, anytime to first responders and other public safety partners. Current estimated voice coverage simulations may be viewed in the Radio Coverage Area Maps published by State Radio.

The ability to consolidate communication functions and services into an improved streamlined service model built around the Internet Protocol (IP) could give the state many valuable applications that could be used by government agencies and schools as well as North Dakota citizens. The absence of those types of technologies continues to limit and delay future State initiatives. Examples of desired initiatives that send data from mobile and/or fixed base stations throughout North Dakota for a number of functions include:

To meet strategic objectives the State will again use the anchor tenant model to spur deployment of a broadband networks that can support the convergence of voice and data technologies. The resulting networks will be made available to local telecommunications consumers as well as public safety entities. The increased bandwidth will help public safety entities communicate more effectively in their efforts to serve and protect citizens statewide.

The success of STAGEnet will be measured by the following: