(Dearborn/Ohio Counties, IN) — In an effort to improve high-speed internet connectivity in Dearborn and Ohio counties, One Dearborn and the Dearborn & Ohio Counties Broadband & Digital Inclusion Task Force are encouraging citizens to participate in Speed Test Awareness Week from May 1-7, 2023.
Speed Test Awareness Week is a weeklong awareness campaign with the goal of improving the accuracy of our counties’ data on state and federal broadband coverage maps.
These two maps will play a part in deciding how much funding each state will receive through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD). The better the accuracy and amount of state and local data Indiana and our region can provide, the more funding we may expect to receive.
BEAD is a federal program providing $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access across the United States. The funding is competitive between states. States that can exhibit a greater need for funding through lack of coverage will be considered a higher priority than those that are adequately covered according to the federal standard.
Indiana’s broadband access is measured by two different maps. Citizens can click the below links to submit the internet connectivity information for their home or business.
The Indiana Farm Bureau Speed Test (State Test) https://www.infarmbureau.org/resources/broadband-speed-test
The FCC National Broadband Map (Federal Test) https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home
Because funding will be determined by the data, particularly the FCC National Broadband Map, it is important that both are as accurate as possible showing coverage gaps. This is why we are promoting Speed Test Awareness Week.
During the week One Dearborn and other members of the Dearborn & Ohio Counties Broadband & Digital Inclusion Task Force will be promoting the two maps on social media and handing out flyers with instructions and QR codes for the tests. Please join us in promoting the two maps on social media by sharing our posts and taking the tests. Together, we can improve our chances of securing the funding we need to improve high-speed internet access for all!
Speed Test Awareness Week will occur in conjunction with our Indiana Broadband Ready Communities announcement and celebration.
The announcement and celebration will be to celebrate Dearborn County, The Town of Dillsboro, The Town of Moores Hill, Ohio County, and the City of Rising Sun becoming Indiana Broadband Ready Communities. Keep an eye on your inbox for more details on this celebration.
For more information on One Dearborn or to view the Dearborn County Regional Economic Development Plan, visit www.1dearborn.org/reports.
(One Dearborn, Inc. press release)
