State of the County Who Needs Broadband Service in Marion County?

Who Needs Broadband Service in Marion County?

BY MARK ANDERSON

Let’s face it, connecting to the internet in this day and age is almost a necessity. Whether you’re paying bills, doing some online shopping, updating your social media, or simply browsing the web, the internet is an incredibly useful tool that allows us to do many things.

So, when we can’t connect or our internet service is slow, it’s very frustrating. We’ve all said some choice words to our devices whenever that annoying spinning wheel stays on the screen after clicking a link.

That’s a problem Marion County government is looking to help address. Recently, we began the Broadband Feasibility Study to find areas in Marion County where new or improved broadband internet services would make the most impact.

We’re working with Televate, an information technology and engineering consultancy with years of experience in the field, to conduct this study – and we need your help!

A significant part of the study is two surveys — the Household eCheckup for home service and the Business eCheckup for commercial service. We’re asking everyone to take the time to fully answer these surveys so we get as much data as possible, which will help us better determine where new/improved internet service is needed throughout the county.

Each survey is around 20-25 minutes, which may be a bit longer than the average survey, but all of the questions are important to give us a better map of internet services throughout Marion. Once the survey period is complete and Televate compiles all the data, it will be publicly available on the Marion County website. And don’t worry — no identifying information will be included in the survey results, only broad data that highlights internet connectivity around Marion.

This Broadband Feasibility Study is funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and is just one part of several planned projects throughout the county during the current five-year strategic plan.

A steering committee made up of local leaders is helping guide the study and focus on local priorities. The committee meets once a month during the six-month study period and includes members from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, United Way, Next Era Energy, Lumen/Centurylink, Ocala Metro CEP, Raney’s, Cattlemen/Southeastern Youth Fair, the Florida Department of Health, the City of Ocala and the Marion County School Board.

Prior to the surveys, Televate conducted research on internet services throughout the county. The company traveled to all corners of the county and used equipment and specialized software to determine where internet and/or cell service was weak or nonexistent. Televate will combine the results of these tests with the surveys for a better overall picture of internet services in Marion County.

The final results will be shared with internet and mobile phone service providers, and the county will work closely with these providers to implement incentives for more service in populated areas that need it most. There are several state-level and federal-level grants available once these tests are complete, and we will work with local organizations to bring these grants to Marion County.

The Broadband Feasibility Study in Marion County also is part of a larger internet initiative at the state level. The Florida Office of Broadband was established in the summer of 2020 under the state Department Two surveys are available on the Marion County website, so please pick the survey that fits best for you and complete it as soon as possible!

of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This office works with local and state government agencies, community organizations, and private businesses to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband internet throughout Florida, specifically in small and rural communities.

These initiatives look to increase broadband coverage both at the county and state level, and we are excited to continue the Broadband Feasibility Study over the summer.

The two surveys are available on the Marion County website, so please pick the survey that fits best for you and complete it as soon as possible! By completing this survey, you are helping expand broadband service and doing your part to bring the internet to more homes and businesses in Marion County.

Marion County Broadband eCheckup: marionfl.org/broadband

Mark Anderson is a public relations specialist for the Marion County Government.