Carver County received ARRA funds for a project that was completed in the fall of 2013. At that time the Star Tribune reported broadband coverage (different definition) in the county was 38 percent. Now it stands (despite higher bar for definition) at 98 percent for speeds of 25/3 (Mbps down/up). Government funding makes a difference. Carver County coverage for 2026 goals is 81 percent, which indicates that the network built in 2013 is scalable and a wise investment. But, they will need to continue to invest to reach ubiquitous coverage and upgrade to 2026 speed goals of 100/20.

Carver is in line to receive $1,184,151 in CAF 2 funding to upgrade 2,715 locations. Unfortunately CAF 2 recipients are only required to upgrade to 10/1 access. Many may choose to upgrade to better speeds but there are no requirements.

Numbers:

The Office of Broadband Development released data on broadband covered in fall of 2016, based on information gathered in July 2016. Here’s how Carver County ranked:

• Percentage served with 25/3 or better: 98.51
• Percentage served with 100/20 or better: 54.04

Mississippi State University Extension have come up with a ranking system to gauge the digital divide index (DDI) by county. (The lower the number the better – the state average is 40.66.) Here’s how Carver ranked:

DDI score of 11.69 out of 100.

More info:

• Find more articles on broadband in Carver County. (http://tinyurl.com/jxj9v9x)

• Districts: CD 3 & 6
  Senate: 33 & 47
  House: 33B, 47A, 47B

I plan to profile each county in Minnesota – tracking broadband access, digital divide and annotated links to news of what’s happening with broadband in the county. I’m keeping it high level because there are 87 counties!