For Wright County residents and beyond – as well as a potential idea for other communities…

Last year, the federal government announced that funds would be allocated to all states under the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Minnesota received an allocation of $651.84 million to bring broadband to unserved and underserved locations.

“Unserved” is defined as having broadband service (including wireline and licensed fixed wireless) with speeds of less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. “Underserved” is defined as having broadband service (including wireline and licensed fixed wireless) with speeds less than 100/20 Mbps, but above 25/3 Mbps. Locations that are deemed unserved or underserved are the only locations eligible to receive BEAD funding.

The reality is that many times generically listed internet speeds are often grossly inaccurate – a location is claimed to have a much higher speed than it actually does. As of yesterday (July 22), the State of Minnesota opened a Challenge Portal for residents to take a speed test from their home or business computer. The portal will remain open until Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Members of the public can’t submit challenges on their own. Each county needs to submit the challenge. The public is allowed to submit evidence that they can’t get service. How to submit data showing slow or no service can be found on the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Broadband Navigator Media Guide starting on Page 9 of the PDF. They can access DEED to take a speed test or submit problems with service.

This is important for everyone who lives in areas that are unserved or underserved because if data is incorrect, eligible areas will miss out on funding opportunities. It is essential that the public participate in the process to make sure the data is accurate and to maximize the opportunity for unserved and underserved communities in Wright County to access BEAD funding.