Broadband Glossary:

Backhaul - the process of transmitting data from multiple remote points to a
central telecommunications backbone (e.g. from country telephone exchanges to
a major city or international Internet gateway).  Also called the ‘middle mile’.

Bandwidth - the speed at which data is transmitted.

Broadband - high speed always-on Internet access.

Broadband Network - has three interlocking components:

1. the backbone infrastructure to transport data around the country and the world (‘first mile’);

2. the network that connects towns or regions to the backbone infrastructure (‘middle mile’ or ‘backhaul’); and

3. access to end users that connect households and businesses (often referred to as the ‘last mile’ or ‘first mile’ or ‘local loop’).

Cable broadband - Pay TV cable can also provide high speed broadband.

Dial up Internet - connection to the Internet via a telephone line; very slow speeds; preceded broadband.

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line-phone companies can provide high speed broadband.

Modem - a device that allows computer information to be sent over a phone line, DSL, or cable.

Satellite broadband - data transmitted via a satellite to a receiving dish and into a premise to a computer.

Wi-Fi - is short for ‘Wireless Fidelity’ and is a set of standards for wireless local area networks.

WiMAX - stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.
It is a wireless technology that provides high-speed broadband connections over long distances.

Wireless broadband - generic term which also includes satellite, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and other technologies.

Redwood Coast Connect Terms:

Broadband Demand Aggregation. Clustering the high speed broadband/Internet needs of public agencies,
residents and key business sectors throughout the four-county region to help plan for meeting those needs
efficiently and cost effectively.

Broadband Market:

Supply. In this project, the supply is the broadband infrastructure: who’s providing services, where service
coverage is, what services are provided, and cost of service. Communications providers (AT&T, Verizon,
Frontier, cable TV companies, wireless) are involved in this project. Broadband coverage will be mapped
in GIS (Geographic Information System) along with population and demographic data. Maps are a great
way to tell the broadband story at a glance.

Demand. To look at the demand side of the equation, the project team will be reaching out to all sectors:
government (public safety, libraries, education, fed, state, local, tribal, special districts), business sectors
(health, timber, mfg, IT, arts, tourism, ag, fisheries, dairy, others), seniors, disabled, low income, and minorities. 
Outreach will be in the form of community meetings in all counties and a survey distributed by US mail and e-mail.
A random telephone survey will also be done.

Alternative Scenarios. With the data that’s gathered, we will propose a variety of alternative scenarios for
broadband implementation. Since the economic case for broadband in sparsely populated rural areas is difficult
to make, these alternatives will require some “thinking outside the box” and collaboration with the providers. 

Policies. The project will investigate local, regional and state-wide policies that create a favorable environment
for building new broadband services and fostering their use, and will create a “policy toolkit”. Barriers will also
be identified.