2018 Vermont Telecommunications Plan Vermont Department of Public Service Telecommunications Plan DRAFT issued pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 202d(e) &(f) November 14, 2018 Table of Contents Overview and Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. iv Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... v I. Broadband Internet Access ................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Connectivity Initiative and High Cost Program ........................................................................................ 7 ThinkVermont! ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Federal Broadband Programs .................................................................................................................... 8 Private Middle-mile Fiber Networks ........................................................................................................ 9 Electric Utility as Broadband Provider ................................................................................................... 10 New Technology ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Broadband Action Plan ............................................................................................................................... 11 BAP Point 2: Service Characteristic Objectives ................................................................................. 13 BAP Point 3: Coordination with FCC ................................................................................................. 14 BAP Point 4: Town-based approach to the Connectivity Initiative .................................................... 15 Broadband Mapping ................................................................................................................................ 17 II. State of Vermont Telecommunications Infrastructure ........................................................................ 19 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 19 Commercial Use of State-Owned Wireless Communications Facilities ................................................. 19 Public Safety Radio Technology Services .............................................................................................. 23 Land Mobile Radio Systems (LMR) ................................................................................................... 23 Vermont Microwave Network ............................................................................................................ 24 Mission Critical Telephone System .................................................................................................... 24 FirstNet ............................................................................................................................................... 24 Future Technology .............................................................................................................................. 25 Enhanced 911 .......................................................................................................................................... 27 State of Vermont Middle-Mile Fiber Networks ...................................................................................... 29 State of Vermont Wireless Microcell Network ....................................................................................... 32 Agency of Digital Services Telecommunications Systems .................................................................... 32 Optimization ........................................................................................................................................... 33 Data Communications and Net Neutrality .............................................................................................. 34 Voice Communications ........................................................................................................................... 36 Strategic Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 37 Enterprise Approach ........................................................................................................................... 37 i Final Draft-202d(e) 11.14.2018 Robust and Flexible Telecommunications Services ........................................................................... 39 Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness ....................................................................................... 40 Protection of Information Assets and Networks ................................................................................. 41 Integration of Telecommunication Services ....................................................................................... 43 III. Regulatory and Policy Considerations ............................................................................................ 44 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Section 248a Wireless Site Permitting .................................................................................................... 44 Mobile Wireless Resiliency .................................................................................................................... 47 Small Cell Deployment ........................................................................................................................... 47 Pole Attachment Reform ......................................................................................................................... 47 Pole Attachment Rates ............................................................................................................................ 48 Make-Ready Reform ............................................................................................................................... 49 Communications Union Districts ............................................................................................................ 50 Basic Telephone Service ......................................................................................................................... 52 Landline FTTP Resiliency ...................................................................................................................... 55 Cable Video Line Extensions .................................................................................................................. 55 Public, Educational, and Government Television ................................................................................... 58 Cable Video Plant Taxation .................................................................................................................... 59 Vermont Universal Service Fund ............................................................................................................ 60 Revenues ................................................................................................................................................. 61 The Lifeline Program .............................................................................................................................. 62 IV. Telecommunications Almanac ........................................................................................................ 65 Telecommunications Surveys ................................................................................................................. 93 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 93 Education ............................................................................................................................................ 93 Healthcare and Telemedicine .............................................................................................................. 95 Public Safety ....................................................................................................................................... 98 Labor ................................................................................................................................................... 99 Appendix 1: Locations by Wire Center ................................................................................................. 1-1 Appendix 2: Broadband Availability Statistics ...................................................................................... 2-1 Appendix 3: Business and Residential Survey Results .......................................................................... 3-1 ii Final Draft-202d(e) 11.14.2018 iii