McLeod County had 98 percent broadband coverage in 2014. They have 98 percent broadband coverage today – at speeds of 25/3 (Mbps down/up). Unfortunately they only have 56 percent coverage at speeds of 100/20, the state speed goal for 2026. I’m going to include a map of download speeds for McLeod. The dark blue areas have download speeds of 100 Mbps; the green areas are only  10-25 Mbps. Those are the areas that will need to start thinking about broadband speeds and they may already be feeling the need for more as more people work from home and 7 out of 10 teacher assign online homework. That use adds up.

McLeod County is also in line to receive $1,511,085 in CAF 2 funding to upgrade 2,479 locations. 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 they ranked:

• Percentage served with 25/3 or better: 98.58
• Percentage served with 100/20 or better: 56.92

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 they ranked:

DDI score of 36.66 out of 100.

More info:

• Find more articles on broadband in McLeod County (http://tinyurl.com/hx65gqh)

• There is a matrix of Minnesota broadband adoption projects.
• Districts: CD 7
  Senate: 18
  House: 18A, 18B

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!