Source: NC OFFICE OF STATE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, 7/23/20
As we continue to rely on
access to broadband services for work, school and wellness needs during the
pandemic response, the N.C. Department of Information Technology's Broadband
Infrastructure Office (BIO) has launched a new survey tool to allow your residents
to submit needed data to enhance our needs assessment and attract further
private investment. The Hometown Strong team asks for your partnership to share
the opportunity with residents through promotion on social media, printed
inserts, websites and other communication methods such as announcements at
town, county and school board meetings. If your county is currently seeking ISP partnership to fill broadband gaps, enhanced data on resident experiences is a strong asset. Below are two sample texts, with a link to the survey. Click here to view the full survey announcement release. For
communities and organizations interested in promoting the N.C. Broadband Survey
in their areas, please contact BIO directly at https://ncbroadband.gov/communityaction. Sample One for social media and other strategies: Now more than ever, people need
reliable and affordable internet access. Please take 5 minutes to complete
the NC Broadband Survey. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3hr5XSI Sample Two for website, printed inserts and other communications such as
announcements at town, county and school board meetings: Broadband SurveyThe North
Carolina Broadband Survey is designed to gather information on locations
without adequate internet access and speeds in the state. The information
gathered from the survey will: =
Provide clear data to guide investment of funds through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program =
Inform
research and policy recommendations =
Support
strategic targeting of additional funding streams The survey is a collaboration between the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office and The Friday
Institute for Education Innovation at North Carolina State University. Taking the SurveyThe survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and is available
in both English and Spanish. Participants are encouraged to also take the
optional internet speed test to connect survey data with broadband speed
information. Internet Connectivity Survey for NC Households and Businesses For Homes & Businesses With Internet Service For
homes or businesses with internet service, the participant should take the
survey online from the location being reported, ideally from a wired
connection. This will allow the speed test and other survey data to be tied to
the exact location.For Homes & Businesses Without Internet
Service: For locations being reported without internet service, the participant can take the survey by phone. Residents without internet service but with phones capable of text messaging can text “internet” to 919-750-0553. Standard text messaging rates will apply.Can't Text?: Residents with landlines or cellphones that do not have texting capability may place a voice call to 919-750-0553. An interactive voice response system will guide them through a series of short questions to obtain the caller’s address and register it in the database as having no internet capability at all.
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