The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) is asking residents and businesses in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties to take part in a survey that will identify areas that lack access to reliable broadband internet. Madison County completed a similar study in 2019, CNY RPDB said. At the same time, Oneida […]
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The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) is asking residents and businesses in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties to take part in a survey that will identify areas that lack access to reliable broadband internet.
Madison County completed a similar study in 2019, CNY RPDB said.
At the same time, Oneida and Herkimer counties are also urging residents and businesses to participate in an online survey that will help to assess broadband needs and advance availability.
CNY RPBD survey
ECC Technologies, LLC — a private consulting firm based in Rochester — is helping with the study. The firm has a history of working with counties and municipalities across Upstate to identify and solve broadband-internet-access issues, according to CNY RPDB.
“As the past year has shown us, reliable access to broadband internet is no longer a luxury. Covid-19 forced many aspects of our day-to-day lives online; virtual learning, working from home, online shopping, telemedicine, and simply staying connected with those we care about. It has also shown us how prevalent the digital divide is in our community,” CNY RPDB said in a release about the survey.
Those interested can take the survey from any computer or mobile device at www.cnyinternet.com. The survey continues through July 31. Hard copies may be available at your local library and municipal office. People may also contact CNY RPDB at (315) 412-5966 for assistance completing the survey or to have a survey sent to their home, the board said.
The broadband-internet study involves both identifying physical infrastructure and conducting a public survey.
Fieldwork to inventory and map broadband facilities in each county — including existing fiber and coaxial cabling and tower sites — is nearing completion.
ECC Technologies has developed a website and survey material that will allow CNY RPDB to collect data about broadband access in the region, called the Broadband Availability and Adoption Toolset (BAAT). CNY RPDB is using the BAAT survey to reach residents and businesses to learn about their current internet-access issues, service reliability, and the affordability of their internet-access options.
The confidential information collected from this survey will be used to identify areas in the region most in need of improved internet-access service. The information will also provide the basis for developing a plan that will help improve broadband-internet access in the region. CNY RPDB said it will complete the plan by October.
Oneida and Herkimer survey
The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD) is hosting the survey, per an Oneida County news release.
“This survey is the first step in bridging the digital divide in Oneida County,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said “It has never been clearer than during this pandemic how vital reliable access to broadband is to our residents and businesses. From remote learning to online meetings to virtual health care to ordering products and supplies, being connected to the internet has become an absolute necessity. We must ensure that all of our communities are on equal footing.”
The survey is available at www.mveddbroadband.com until Aug. 7. Participants will find separate surveys for residents and businesses of each county, as well as an internet-connection speed test.
Oneida and Herkimer counties, MVEDD, and the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties have partnered to fund a “Broadband Availability and Adoption Campaign,” which, in addition to the survey, includes an assessment that establishes an inventory of broadband infrastructure.
Broadband access includes not only making sure that people have access to “reliable and high quality” internet services by ensuring adequate build out of physical infrastructure, but also making sure that residents can adopt these services into their life once they are available, the counties say.
“For a small rural community like Herkimer County, the expansion of broadband is crucial for economic, educational and health advancement,” Herkimer County Chairman Vincent Bono said.
The information collected from the survey will be kept confidential. Organizers will use the survey results to help develop a plan for improving internet access throughout the region and provide the basis for securing federal and state grants to implement the plan.
Those who would like to participate, but do not have internet or cellular phone access, can contact MVEDD at (315) 838-5398 for assistance.