Newton, NC – The Catawba County Library actively works to expand access to information and ideas, fuel a passion for learning, and support access to technology and services that empower people.
In this role, it is partnering with local organizations to help promote the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s new NC Broadband Survey.
The brief questionnaire asks people to share their experience in accessing the Internet at home and will gather information about locations without adequate Internet access and speeds throughout North Carolina. It is available online at www.ncbroadband.gov/survey.
The data collected will guide investment of funds through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program, inform research and policy recommendations, and support strategic targeting of additional funding streams. The survey is a collaboration between NCDIT’s Broadband Infrastructure Office and the Friday Institute at NC State University.
SURVEY
The survey takes about five 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.
SPEED TEST
For homes or businesses with internet service, participants 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.
NO SERVICE?
For locations being reported without Internet service, participants can take the survey by phone. Residents without Internet service but with phones capable of text messaging can text “internet” to 919.750.0553 (919.750.8860 for Spanish speakers). Standard text messaging rates will apply.
CAN’T TEXT?
Residents with land lines or cell phones that do not have texting capability, may place a voice call to 919.750.0553 (919.750.8860 for Spanish speakers). The interactive voice response system will guide them through a series of short questions to obtain their address and register it in the database as having no Internet capability at all.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
All participants are asked to provide the street address of the home or business they’re referencing to help identify areas needing improved Internet access.
LOCATIONS MAY BE:
• mapped to show unmet needs or demand for high-speed internet.
• shared with relevant internet service providers or other partners to identify service solutions.
• included in a public map, with location points buffered for privacy.
For more information about the survey, call 919.754.6733 or visit www.ncbroadband.gov.
