Centre County residents wanting to give feedback on internet services, speeds now have the chance
Centre County residents have an opportunity to play a direct role in planning by responding to the Broadband Strategic Plan’s internet survey and speed test, county officials announced Tuesday.
The speed survey launched Monday at centrecountypa.speedsurvey.org and will remain open until March 25. The survey includes an internet test that will capture the speed of service at a location to determine if the internet service qualifies as broadband-level speed under the federal definition of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, a press release from the county stated.
The survey takes about five minutes and is open to all Centre County residents and businesses to provide feedback on their internet services. The feedback collected will become part of the Centre County’s strategic planning efforts to identify communities unserved and underserved by broadband internet, the release stated. The plan will include steps to increase broadband services countywide. The survey is done in conjunction with CTC Technology, the county’s broadband consultant.
“This is really a critical component because this is going to help CTC backfill the data that they need to perform the assessment to make sure that we are getting the proper locations, the internet speeds reflected in the survey and it’s also an opportunity for residents and businesses to weigh in on their satisfaction with their internet as well as what the price range of the services that they’re paying for,” said Elizabeth Lose, assistant director of the county’s department of planning and community development, during Tuesday’s Centre County Commissioners meeting.
Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said there is $100 million in state funding available for broadband that the county hopes to get some of, as well as use American Rescue Plan money for leverage. The survey will help the county go after the money, he said.
Commissioner Steve Dershem said this demonstrates the county’s commitment to making sure residents have the broadband services they need.
“One of the things we’ve learned from the pandemic is whether you’re in education or whether you’re in the private sector out there trying to get the word out, it’s very difficult if you don’t have the capability. And from a business standpoint, from an education standpoint, from a governmental standpoint, high speed broadband is a huge asset to any community and for us to develop some of our more rural places in our county, it’s just going to be an absolute requirement,” Dershem said.
A paper-copy survey is also available at centrecountypa.gov/2258/Broadband. Further feedback can be sent to the Centre County Planning and Community Development Office by email, broadband@centrecountypa.gov or by mail, 420 Holmes St., Bellefonte, PA 16823 Attn: Planning.
