BroadbandAnalyzer® Scoping Report

1 Introduction

Strategic Networks Group provides broadband market reports for your geographical area, whether it be a small community or an entire state. These reports combine data from multiple public, private, and proprietary data sets to give you insight.

BroadbandAnalyzer® Reports may be purchased through our website or contact us at the email below:

BroadbandAnalyzer® Sales

email: info@sngroup.com

1.1 Definitions

For the purpose of this report, broadband is defined as 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed (25/3), since that is the current federal definition of broadband.

It is important to note that federal funds being used to deploy new broadband service require at least 100/20 speeds to qualify for subsidy. Broadband serviceable locations without access to 25/3 broadband service are considered unserved and are the top priority for NTIA BEAD funding. Broadband serviceable locations without access to 100/20 broadband service are considered underserved and are the second priority for NTIA BEAD funding. Households with 100/100 broadband are considered to be served with future-proof service, although it is recognized that service in excess of 1000/1000 is being deployed in many areas and should be considered a high-value asset.

1.2 Overview

This report addresses broadband availability in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina.

This area contains 479 census blocks, representing 16,354 individuals and 7,511 homes spanning 14.38 square miles, excluding census blocks containing zero homes.

Figure 1.1: Area Census Block Summary

For the purpose of this analysis, census blocks are segmented in three ways.
* First, blocks are grouped into broadband service categories depending on the level of broadband service available within the block.
* Second, blocks are grouped by the number of households per linear road mile, corresponding to the expected cost to deploy fiber to homes within the census block.
* Third, blocks are grouped by the number of homes per square mile, corresponding to the expected cost to deploy fixed wireless service to homes within the census block.

1.3 Broadband Service Availability

Figure 1.2 shows the broadband service availability for all census blocks in the selected county.

Figure 1.2: Map of Broadband Service Levels - All Census Blocks

Click here for an interactive version of Figure 1.2.

The census blocks colors and transparency for this report are defined as follows:

1.3.1 Broadband Availability by Connection Speed

1.3.1.1 Household Availability of 25/3 Broadband

1.3.1.2 Household Availability of 100/20 Broadband

Note that any household without access to 25/3 broadband will also lack access to 100/20 broadband, so some households counted in this table will also be counted in the previous table.

1.3.1.3 Household Availability of 100/100 Broadband (omitted)

Note that any household without access to 25/3 or 100/20 broadband will also lack access to 100/100 broadband, so some households counted in this table will also be counted in the previous tables.

1.3.2 Broadband Availability by Fiber Market Segments

1.3.3 Household Availability of 25/3 Broadband by Fiber Market Segment

1.3.3.1 Household Availability of 100/20 Broadband by Fiber Market Segment

1.4 Selected Census Blocks

No census blocks were selected. Had you selected census blocks using the map drawing tools or by clicking on individual blocks a map and data table would be displayed here representing the selected blocks.

1.5 Filtered Census Blocks

No filters were active. Had you filtered records using the column filters in the All Census Blocks table, a map and data table representing the filtered census blocks would be shown here.

1.6 Selected Census Blocks with Filters

No census blocks were filtered and selected. Had you filtered and selected records using the map drawing tools and the column filters in the All Census Blocks table, a map and data table representing the filtered census blocks would be shown here.

2 Appendices

2.1 Service Level Definitions

• Unserved: Census blocks with zero households served.
• Served: Census blocks with one or more households served.
• Poorly Served: Census blocks with less than 0% of households served.
• Partially Served: Census blocks with between 0% and 100% of households served.
• Fully Served: Census blocks with 100% or more of households served. (Note that the NTIA’s BDC has some census blocks with more served locations than households in the block).

2.2 Deployment Cost Calculations

Fiber deployment cost is calculated per linear mile using the relevant row of the cost table using the formula: \[ \text{Fiber Cost} = ( \text{# Unserved Households} \times \text{Fiber Cost per Household}) + (\text{# Linear Road Miles} \times \text{Fiber Cost per Lineal Mile}) \]

Wireless cost per square mile is calculated using the relevant row of this table using the formula: \[ \text{Wireless Cost per Square Mile} = \frac{ \text{Wireless Tower Cost}}{ \pi * \text{Wireless Tower Range}^2} \] and the Wireless deployment cost is calculated per square mile using the relevant row of the cost table using the formula: \[ \text{Wireless Cost} = ( \text{# Unserved Households} \times \text{Wireless Cost per Household}) + (\text{# Square Miles} \times \text{Wireless Cost per Square Mile}) \]