Leon County issued the following announcement on Mar. 8.
The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Office of Broadband are encouraging Tallahassee-Leon County residents to participate in the state’s Internet Speed Test to help determine the needs and opportunities for broadband in the community.
The Internet Speed Test allows area residents to examine the performance of their in-home and mobile broadband networks. Once completed, the test will show users their network performance results, which will also be displayed on the Florida Broadband Availability Map. The map will help DEO determine where broadband access is needed and be prepared for funding opportunities as they become available. OEV's continued collaboration with DEO, through this map and other activities, uniquely positions Tallahassee-Leon County to quickly secure federal funding to increase broadband availability and effectiveness should it come available in the future.
“We appreciate the Office of Economic Vitality promoting and encouraging participation in the Florida Broadband Internet Speed Test,” said DEO Secretary Dane Eagle. “These important initiatives will allow the state of Florida to identify unserved and underserved communities throughout the state, including within the City of Tallahassee and Leon County.”
In addition to the Internet Speed Test, OEV, in partnership with the Tallahassee-Leon County Broadband Planning Team, comprised of local public and private sector representatives, is asking residents and businesses to take an online survey to aggregate the demand for residential and business broadband service throughout the community.
The survey takes less than five minutes and is made available to all residents and businesses both with and without access to broadband. The effort will analyze the demand for broadband, where broadband is currently available, and the cost of broadband services to local citizens and businesses.
Tallahassee-Leon County, and counties across the state, are working closely with DEO to advance planning efforts for the expansion of broadband internet throughout the community. This initiative aims to better help connect those residents to digital commerce as well as improve remote educational and critical telehealth care services.
Residents can take the Internet Speed Test and view the Florida Broadband Availability Map at this link. Residents can share their broadband feedback and experience through the survey at this link. Businesses can complete the survey at this link. If you do not have internet access to complete the survey, computers may be available at your local public library. Visit the Leon County Public Library site for a list of locations and hours.
“Broadband coverage is critical to support the vibrancy of our community,” said OEV Director Cristina Paredes. “An increase in access to broadband can be directly correlated to enhancements in healthcare, education and economic growth.”
Original source can be found here.
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