Indiana residents in both rural and urban areas have until the end of the calendar year to take the Indiana Speed Test and get their dot on the map that informs future broadband funding across the state.
The Indiana Speed Test is a crowd-sourced internet speed test that focuses on enabling cost-effective planning and deployment of broadband. The Indiana Speed Test has been taken almost 38,000 times over the past 18 months in 30,000 unique locations in the state. However, if you look at the map of the test results to-date, there are still several areas that lack data.
"While broadband needs are most obvious in the rural communities of our state, there are still many locations near our largest cities that lack sufficient broadband," said Randy Kron, INFB president. "Data is a critical piece to help local broadband groups and the state of Indiana invest where service is needed the most and to avoid overbuilding infrastructure."
The goal for the Indiana Speed Test is to gather data in all areas of Indiana. The software platform and the data will be available to local governments and organized broadband groups to analyze potential solutions and aid their applications for Indiana's Next Level Connections Grants and a variety of federal grants like the American Rescue Plan Act.
"The data from the speed test can be used by grant applicants and also by the state to verify where broadband is and where it's not affordable or available," said Katrina Hall, INFB senior director of policy strategy and advocacy. "New broadband maps are currently in development, so now is the time to make sure your dot is on the map. Regardless of whether you live in a rural or urban area, your broadband access matters."
The speed test may be performed multiple times on any device that has an internet or cellular connection. The test takes less than one minute to complete, and no personal information will be collected.
Categories: Indiana, General