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Existing assets

The project’s consultant, Magellan Advisors, conducted an inventory and gap analysis of Marin’s digital infrastructure. They found a significant discrepancy between factors typically associated with well-connected regions and what was found in Marin. According to Magellan Advisors, Marin County has numerous private and public players in the network infrastructure and services space. In contrast, network...

Marin's digital needs

The Digital Marin project conducted community outreach by dividing Marin’s stakeholders into sectors and assigning at least one (1) member of the project’s Executive Steering Committee as a liaison to each. The seven sectors are: business and economic development; education; government and emergency management; health and community based organizations; internet, communication and technology providers; planning,...

Methodology

Project approach Development of the Strategic Plan was managed as a project with a project plan, project manager, tasks, timeline, and monthly reporting. Project leadership provided by an Executive Steering Committee. Marin Managers Association served as project sponsors. Community involvement Community outreach resulted in more than 3,700 touch points, including 12 surveys and more than...

Guiding principles

From inception through completion of this Strategic Plan, the Digital Marin project followed four guiding principles. Broadband for All The digital divide is closed so every resident, community, and organization in Marin can take advantage of all digital opportunities and resources. Inclusive & Equitable Digital projects and initiatives are inclusive and equitable, involving and benefiting...

Introduction

The internet is a fundamental element of our lives. From our economy to education, it provides us with access to opportunities and critical services. The COVID pandemic and other recent disruptive events underscore Marin’s need to end internet access inequities and bridge the digital divide - the economic, educational, and social inequalities between those who...

Action 6 – Increase access to affordable broadband service

Increase access to affordable broadband services for everyone, especially for those least able to pay, by identifying or creating discounted and free programs. Manage the programs through a centralized agency, whenever possible, using Federal, State, local, and other funding sources. Remove barriers to entry by ensuring the process to get discounted or free internet service...

Action 5 - Improve incumbent internet providers’ services

Obtain more information about incumbents’ internet prices, speeds, resiliency, and quality by conducting a county-wide speed test coupled with an evaluation of individual service provider’s costs, program offerings, and quality of service standards and ratings. Work with incumbent providers to ensure that their current and future internet services meet or exceed Marin’s adopted standards in...

Action 4: Establish Marin’s own internet service standards

Local government is and for the foreseeable future will be constrained from regulating the business practices of private companies providing internet services in Marin. Develop internet service standards for accessibility, speed, reliability, resiliency, safety, availability, consistency, affordability, open access, and other important aspects of broadband for all that meet or, if desired and where possible,...

Action 3 – Expand deployment of broadband and increase local control

Use existing network infrastructure and services, develop residential community siting standards, adopt trench once/trench smart ordinances, standardize permit requirements and fees, and develop other rules, policies, and procedures, to the fullest extent possible. Work to update, change, or adopt laws, rules, policies, and procedures to increase deployment of broadband infrastructure with an emphasis on the...

Action 2 – Use a phased implementation of stand-alone broadband components

After a detailed broadband network design is completed and resources become available, oversee deployment of broadband infrastructure using a phased implementation of stand-alone broadband network components. Manage each phase using project management best practices that include securing funds, hiring consultants, and obtaining other necessary resources. Upon completion of each proceeding phase, launch projects to deploy...

Action 1 - Deploy an open access broadband network comprised primarily, but not exclusively, of publicly owned assets

Hire a consultant to assist with development of a detailed public broadband network design that delivers best in the U.S. high-speed service in Marin, with a goal of 1 Gbps symmetrical wherever needed and possible, with an emphasis on providing internet services to Marin government entities such as city halls, schools, county and municipal facilities,...

Marin County Board of Supervisors adopts strategic plan

The Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Digital Marin Strategic Plan on Tuesday, February 1st. Here is the link to the recording of the Board meeting. Scroll to Agenda Item 6 to view the presentation, as well as comments and questions from the Supervisors and public. We are not stopping with one adoption. We are seeking...

Strategic Plan Final

2021 Q4 Status Update

What a year! We began 2021 with a brand-new Executive Steering Committee (ESC) and our consulting firm, Magellan Advisors, was still doing initial interviews with stakeholders. Our ESC reached out in their communities to pull in more people with diverse perspectives. That effort eventually added more than 500 registered stakeholders and thousands of survey, focus...

Draft Strategic Plan community forum

The Digital Marin Executive Steering Committee held a Community Forum on December 9, 2021 to present the Strategic Plan to the public for comments. Watch the meeting Read the meeting notes and slides Draft strategic plan community forum

Community Forum - Spanish

Jueves 09 de diciembre de 5:30 – 7:00 PM. ¡Vivimos en la Era Digital! El acceso a Internet de alta velocidad, la alfabetización digital y los dispositivos son necesarios para acabar con la brecha digital. Con el reciente Informe de Evaluación de Necesidades finalizado y publicado en GoDigitalMarin.org, el equipo está listo para presentar el...

Community Forum

Thursday, December 9th, 5:30 – 7:00 PM. We are living in a Digital Age! Access to high-speed internet, digital literacy, and devices is needed to end the digital divide. With the recent Needs Assessment Report finalized and posted on GoDigitalMarin.org, the team is ready to present the Draft Strategic Plan to the Marin community. If...

Strategic Plan reviewed by executive steering committee

The Digital Marin Executive Steering Committee held a meeting on November 18, 2021 to review the Strategic Plan. A meeting will be held in December for public comments. Watch the meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_TtRV-5n-8&t=11s Read the meeting notes and slides Executive Steering Committee meeting – Nov 18, 2021

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Digital Marin seeks to understand the digital needs of our residents, schools, public agencies, and businesses to bring high speed access to all.

Overall needs statements

Seven needs statements that directly relate to the project’s goals were created. Broadband For All: Universally accessible and consistent broadband is needed throughout Marin Affordable Internet Service: Marin needs affordable broadband service, so cost is not a barrier to entry Resilient and Reliable Communication Networks: Redundancy and resiliency are needed for all digital infrastructure Devices...

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