What is Broadband?
Broadband is the transmission of wide bandwidth data over a high speed internet connection. In its simplest form, it is a high-speed Internet connection that is always on. According to the FCC, the definition of broadband internet is a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds.
There are six main types of broadband technologies:
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
- Cable Modem
- Fiber
- Wireless
- Satellite
- Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL)
Jackson County has made expanding broadband infrastructure and increasing digital equity a top priority. Expanding broadband infrastructure in our community would increase access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet as well as decrease the digital divide among our citizens.
Jackson County would like to understand how residents in our area access and use the internet. Your responses to this survey are anonymous, and are greatly appreciated. Survey results will be used to inform decisions regarding investments in ways to expand internet access in the area and make it more reliable and affordable. Please take this survey from your home while connected to your home Internet service (if you have service in your home).
Take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N5HZNJQ
DEO Internet Speed Test
Let’s talk about internet access. Woo. Even saying that gives me a little heartburn because as we all know, internet access in Jackson County is, well, not the best, but we are working very hard to change that.
Bringing broadband access to a rural county is difficult, and that’s because every solution takes lots of, you guessed it. $$$. Fortunately for us, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is working with various agencies across the state to better serve Floridians through broadband infrastructure funding opportunities.
Now the key phrase there is funding OPPORTUNITY. So this is where we need your help. In order to receive this potential funding, d e o has to first identify Jackson County as an underserved area. And the way they do that is by asking citizens to take an internet speed test to provide real time data that shows our need for improved broadband services.
This is where you come in. We are asking you to take this anonymous one minute speed test to help us in pursuit of funding. Now, some of you may have taken this test before, but Florida d e o is requesting more data from Jackson County, so we need more participation from you. To learn more about this initiative and to take the speed test, just visit www.Floridajobs.org/Broadband.
The speed test should be taken from a home computer, not a smartphone. If you do not have internet access at your home, there is a place to report that on the site as well. So please help us help you by visiting www.Floridajobs.org/Broadband.
Thanks!
FOR Jackson, FOR Future, FOR You.
Additional Broadband Resources:
- Internet Speed Survey – To do your part in the effort to increase Broadband availability in the County, take the Internet Speed Survey offered by the Department of Economic Opportunity. DEO Offers Internet Speed Survey Article Take the Internet Speed Test. The results of the Survey will allow the County to pinpoint areas that are lacking in service and prioritize service areas.
- REDI Plan – The Jackson County REDI Plan outlines the need for deliberate and organized attention to identify and address gaps in adoption, utilization, and quality of service of broadband and digital services.