In 2020, the Dane County Board of Supervisors created the Dane County Broadband Task Force. The task force was created through resolution 2020 RES-415 and outlines the work the task force will do over the course of the next year including: collect data, research and explore various funding mechanisms, partner with stakeholders to identify where broadband access is and is not, explore alternative solutions, and make recommendations to the County Board on the role of Dane County in facilitating the expansion of broadband services to residents.
Agenda
Minutes
Recording
Recently announced, eligible houses can get internet service for little to no cost through a federal government program.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.
More information about the Affordable Connectivity Program can be found here: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/ . Information to sign up can be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/?utm_source=getinternet.gov
If a household is eligible, they could receive:
· Up to a $30/month discount on internet service
· Up to a $75/month discount if the household is on qualifying Tribal lands
· A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
· A low cost service plan that may be fully covered through the ACP
The document available here provides the basics of the Affordable Connectivity Program
Reference Materials:
Marathon County Broadband Assessment and Plan
Door County Broadband Engineering Assessment
Dane County Broadband Task Force One Page Overview (Hmong) (Spanish)
Dane County Broadband Task Force Overview Presentation
Test your speed! MadRep Speed Test
Town of Vermont Project Application
Broadband Delivery Methods - Presented at 12/2/21 Broadband Task Force Meeting
Portage County High-Speed Internet Needs Assessment Survey Report
Badger Talk: Broadband Internet and the Wisconsin Economy
Broadband and the Wisconsin Economy
WI Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access
WI Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access Report
National Association of Counties Broadband Task Force Report
Task Force in the News:
April 23, 2021 - Dane County creates task force to address huge pockets of no internet in rural areas
April 24, 2021 - Dane County forms task force to expand internet access
July 7, 2021 - Funding, maps will be two focuses of new Dane County broadband task force
Resources:
FCC National Broadband Map: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home
Internet for All: https://www.internetforall.gov/
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program: https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov/resources/grant-programs/tribal-broadband-connectivity-program
Broadband USA: Glossary of Terms: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/publication-pdfs/bbusa_broadband_glossary.pdf
Find your internet options: https://maps.psc.wi.gov/apps/WisconsinBroadbandMap/
View and print your local coverage map: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/BroadbandMaps.aspx
Public Service Commission Internet and phone helpline: 608-267-3595
For more information, please contact the Dane County Board of Supervisors (608) 266-5758 or Lauren Kuhl, kuhl.lauren@countyofdane.com
The report from the 2021-2022 Dane County Broadband Task Force is now available, as well as the Dane County Broadband report from the UW River Falls Survey Research Center.
