Residents surveyed to help identify gaps in broadband service

The state has launched a new initiative seeking feedback from residents about high-speed internet availability across the state.

The initiative, called “How’s Your Internet?,” is part of a nationwide effort funded by the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program to expand high-speed internet access through funding, planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs across the United States.

The initiative, which will run from June 20 through July 20, is being conducted by the Executive Office of Economic Development, in partnership with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute. Residents can participate by visiting the portal at HowsYourInternet.org.

Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said in a prepared statement that the initiative “will help the state identify gaps in broadband service for residents and businesses and ensure we are putting crucial federal and state resources to work in the places that need it the most.”

MBI Director Michael Baldino said, “Obtaining the most accurate broadband coverage data continues to drive our efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, high-speed internet across the state. That’s why we are encouraging residents, businesses, and local and tribal governments to participate in the BEAD Challenge process, conduct speed tests, and submit information about their service.

“Once we gather this information,” he continued, “we will be one step closer to deploying the funds needed to bring internet for all to Massachusetts.”

The state will collect user data to identify homes and businesses that lack access to broadband or do not receive broadband-level internet speeds from their existing service provider. The portal allows users to type in their home or business address and perform tests that check their internet speeds.

If users find their internet speeds are slow or inadequate, they will be given information about where and how to report their internet speed challenges to organizations that can investigate issues further, such as local and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and internet service providers.

The data collected through the initiative will help to verify the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map, which shows that 99.3% of locations in Massachusetts have broadband internet. The data will identify where gaps and inadequacies in broadband service exist across the state, and determine which locations are in need of investment from the state’s existing broadband programs.

MBI will be holding webinars and office hours to provide information about participating in the initiative and submitting internet speed challenges. Technical support is available from MBI at mapfeedback@masstech.org and MBI’s partner on this initiative, Connected Nation, at mabeadsupport@connectednation.org.

Massachusetts is set to receive a total of more than $400 million in federal funding to close the digital divide. The How’s Your Internet process is a required step related to the state’s receipt of $147 million in BEAD funding administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

In addition, the state is in the process of deploying $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and $175 million from the Capital Projects Fund to close existing broadband gaps.

In March, the NTIA announced that Massachusetts will receive $14 million in funding to address the digital divide through skills training, device access, and internet affordability.