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Market Analysis <br />INTRODUCTION <br />To better understand the availability of broadband in Indian River County, a market <br />analysis was completed assessing the options available to the County's residents <br />and small and large businesses in various zip codes. The analysis focused on <br />internet speeds and pricing from commercial service providers. This section <br />summarizes the findings of this research and makes observations regarding the <br />services currently offered in the service area. The assessment then addresses the <br />state of competition and effects on costs, speeds and quality of service. <br />ASSUMPTIONS AND DEFINITIONS <br />For purposes of this analysis, "broadband" is defined as minimum speeds currently <br />specified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As of January 2015 <br />(and reaffirmed in January 2018), the FCC defines "broadband" as a minimum of 25 <br />megabits per second (Mbps) download speed, and 3 Mbps upload speed. (As an <br />example, speeds in this report will be quoted as 25 down / 3 up (Mbps), or 25/3.) <br />Gigabit speeds represent 1,000 megabits. (i.e. 1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps.) <br />• Typically, about <br />6 Mbps <br />• Up to 30 Mbps <br />• Varies greatly <br />with signal <br />• Data caps <br />typical <br />• Twisted pair <br />copper wires <br />• Typically, about <br />10 Mbps but <br />often much less <br />• Nominally, up to <br />45 Mbps <br />• Shared <br />bandwidth <br />• Coaxial copper <br />cable <br />• Typically, about 150 <br />Mbps <br />• Nominally, Up to 1 <br />Gbps <br />• Shared bandwidth <br />• 1 Gbps and faster <br />• Active Ethernet or Passive <br />Optical <br />• Dedicated or shared <br />bandwidth <br />Figure 2. Speeds Associated with Internet Technologies <br />While the FCC has issued rough guidelines that suggest 25/3 Mbps service should <br />meet the needs of a single user engaged in telecommuting or student activity, a <br />Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in July 2021 (GAO -21-494) <br />www.MAGELLAN-ADVISORS.com <br />10 <br />185 <br />