CNY Regional Planning and Development Board launches survey focused on broadband internet access

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — 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.

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 this link: 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.

How it works

The broadband-internet study involves both identifying physical infrastructure and conducting a public survey.

Field work 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.