State and federal grants are available to help bring broadband internet access to underserved areas of Wisconsin, but residents are asked to help identify areas with the greatest need.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has assisted the nine Regions of Economic Development and the nine Regional Planning Commissions have invested in an internet speed test tool.
Utilizing the tool, data is collected from homes and workplaces about access that is currently available. From download and upload speeds to ping rates to the nearest server, the data helps determine which services meet FCC standards.
There is also an option within the service to note no broadband service availability at all.
Missy Hughes of the WEDC said in a Tuesday release that they cannot use available resources to build broadband internet infrastructure without data like this. “We need as many of us as possible to take a very easy internet speed test.”
The test can be found at ExpressOptimizer.net/public and it will be available until May 8. It takes a few moments and personal information is said to be protected and never shared. Addresses without broadband access should also be reported on the test website.
