PROJECTS, STRATEGY & ACTION PLAN

Broadband

The Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) aims to evaluate broadband access across various parishes in the region to address digital inequities and improve connectivity for unserved and underserved populations. This report analyzes broadband coverage, current providers, digital illiteracy, and socioeconomic factors influencing broadband access in the parishes under the CRPC’s purview. The analysis is based on the table and map provided by Connect Louisiana, which outline broadband availability, income levels, and the digitally illiterate population across 11 parishes.

Broadband Data Analysis

Parish
Ascension
East Baton Rouge
East Feliciana
Iberville
Livingston
Pointe Coupee
St. Helena
Tangipahoa
Washington
West Baton Rouge
West Feliciana
Unserved Residents
1.03%
1.84%
17.10%
8.14%
1.69%
13%
41.40%
9.05%
34%
7.75%
49.09%
Current RDOF Locations
Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Commnet Wireless, LLC; SegnemEgere Consortium; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
CCO Holdings, LLC; Space Exploratin Technologies Corp.
Allen's TV Cable Service, Inc.; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
CCO Holdings, LLC; CenturyLink, Inc.; Segnem Egere Consortium, Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
CCO Holdings, LLC; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
CCO Holdings, LLC; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Segnem Egere Consortium; Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Potential RDOF Locations
107
0
4986
420
393
146
3,200
4,274
10,467
405
2,321
Median Household Income
$80,527
$54,948
$51,803
$50,161
$63,389
$41,480
$43,886
$47,832
$37,570
$65,385
$59,637
Poverty Rate
9.60%
17.70%
18.70%
18.70%
12%
20%
19.60%
21.70%
24.90%
14.40%
22.10%
Digitally Illiterate Rate
15.60%
17.80%
16.60%
17.50%
13.30%
16%
17.70%
15.90%
15.40%
16.70%
16.80%
Digitally Illiterate Residents
12,043
48,985
2.204
3,592
11,435
1,995
1,051
12,992
4,113
2,719
1,776

KEY FINDINGS

  1. Unserved Residents

The percentage of unserved residents varies significantly among the parishes (as shown in the table):

  • West Feliciana has the highest percentage of unserved residents, with 49.09% lacking access to broadband services.
  • St. Helena and Washington Parishes also show concerning levels of unserved residents, at 41.40% and 34%, respectively.
  • In contrast, Ascension and East Baton Rouge report the lowest unserved population percentages, with 1.03% and 1.84%, respectively.
  1. Current RDOF Providers

Several parishes are served by a range of providers under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). Key providers include:

  • Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), present in most parishes.
  • CCO Holdings LLC and Segnem Egere Consortium also serve multiple parishes, contributing to increased coverage.
  • The map provided by Connect Louisiana highlights these providers’ coverage areas, showcasing where broadband expansion efforts are concentrated.
  1. Potential RDOF Locations

The number of potential locations where RDOF funding could expand broadband varies, as detailed in the table:

  • Washington Parish leads with 10,467 potential locations.
  • East Feliciana, Tangipahoa, and St. Helena also present significant opportunities for expansion, with 4,986, 4,274, and 3,200 potential locations, respectively.
  • East Baton Rouge shows no potential RDOF locations, indicating that broadband infrastructure may already be sufficient or fully developed.
  1. Socioeconomic Indicators

The report considers median household income, poverty rates, and digitally illiterate populations to evaluate the economic and educational challenges impacting broadband adoption.

  • Median household income varies widely across parishes, with Ascension reporting the highest at $80,527 and Washington the lowest at $37,570.
  • Poverty rates are particularly high in Washington Parish (24.90%), Tangipahoa Parish (21.70%), and West Feliciana (22.10%).
  • Digital illiteracy rates are concerning across several parishes, as shown in the table, with East Baton Rouge reporting the highest number of digitally illiterate residents (48,985), followed by Ascension (12,043) and Livingston (11,435).

BROADBAND GAPS & RECOMMENDATIONS

This analysis, using the map and table from Connect Louisiana, identifies broadband gaps that are strongly correlated with higher poverty rates, lower median incomes, and higher digital illiteracy. Parishes such as West Feliciana, St. Helena, and Washington require immediate attention, as a significant portion of their populations remains unserved and lacks digital literacy.

To close the broadband gap, the following actions are recommended:

  1. Targeted Broadband Expansion: Prioritize broadband infrastructure investments in West Feliciana, St. Helena, and Washington Parishes, focusing on areas with high unserved rates and potential RDOF locations.
  2. Digital Literacy Programs: Launch digital literacy initiatives, especially in East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston Parishes, where the number of digitally illiterate residents is highest.
  3. Affordability Initiatives: Collaborate with broadband providers to offer affordable broadband packages to low-income households, particularly in parishes with high poverty rates, such as Tangipahoa and Washington.

 

Broadband access remains uneven across the Capital Region, with significant digital divides affecting economically disadvantaged and rural communities. By strategically expanding infrastructure, improving affordability, and promoting digital literacy, CRPC can make substantial progress toward bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive economic growth in the region.

The table and map from Connect Louisiana provide valuable insights into the current state of broadband coverage and help identify the regions in most need of intervention.

REFERENCE

https://connect.la.gov/