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Link Up Lawrence
Broadband Program
Lawrence County is excited to launch Link Up Lawrence, an initiative that will evaluate the availability and quality of broadband internet within the county.
The public survey is now closed. The Lawrence County Commissioners thank everyone who participated in this important survey. Selected Early Action Project areas will be announced later this year.
Link Up Lawrence
Broadband Program
Lawrence County is excited to launch Link Up Lawrence, an initiative that will evaluate the availability and quality of broadband internet within the county.
The public survey is now closed. The Lawrence County Commissioners thank everyone who participated in this important survey. Selected Early Action Project areas will be announced later this year.
About the Study
Lawrence County has launched a comprehensive study of the county’s current internet infrastructure with the goal of broadband expansion. Residents were asked to complete a brief online survey and speed test to help the Commissioners gain a more complete understanding of the county’s strengths and weaknesses.
The results will provide critical data in creating a roadmap that will help secure state and federal funding opportunities. It will also help inform county officials about how best to deploy funds within the county to improve the quality, availability, and adoption of high-speed internet.
What is Broadband?
Broadband commonly refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than traditional dial-up. Broadband internet can be delivered through multiple technologies, like fiber optic cables, fixed antenna, satellite, mobile, or cable modem.
Other Common Broadband Terms
Unserved:
Locations with no access to wired internet service at speeds that meet the FCC threshold of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.
Underserved:
Locations where internet services meets or exceeds the FCC threshold but without access to speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
Mbps:
Megabits per second refers to the upload and download speeds used to measure the file size of data transferred per second over a channel.
Bandwidth:
The volume of information that can be transferred over an internet connection in a specified amount of time.
Download Speed:
The rate that data or information can be received by a user’s computer or device from the internet.
Upload Speed:
The rate that data or information is transferred from a user’s computer or device to the internet.
Why Resident Participation Was Requested
Across every demographic segment, people are utilizing more and more applications that require increasing amounts of bandwidth, like streaming entertainment and real-time video applications for education, employment, and telemedicine. We are still in the early lifecycle of internet video streaming and usage is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decades.
That’s where the internet is headed, yet there are still parts of Lawrence County where people struggle to connect to the internet for basic functions such as internet browsing and online banking. Some locations may not event be able to connect at all.
And it’s not just an individual issue. Communities as a whole are only able to thrive with reliable broadband infrastructure. Here’s why:
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Why is Broadband Important?
COVID-19 made clear what we have known for years – internet access is not a luxury. It is a necessity, like any other utility.
Website, streaming, videoconferencing, cloud services and even telephone are just a few examples of content that relies on local broadband networks. The quality of this content depends on the reliability and the type of infrastructure available. High-speed broadband results in faster, more reliable services in all capacities. Conversely, infrastructure built on aging technologies such as copper result is slower, less reliable services.
From the Commissioners
“Let’s make this clear, broadband is a necessity just like electricity or water. We can’t afford the economic repercussions of having our residents and businesses go without. This study will help inform our strategy in getting affordable, reliable high-speed internet access to the underserved and unserved in our county who need it most.”
"If Lawrence County is to remain competitive in attracting new business, we must improve broadband access. Students need to rely on the internet for education, jobseekers for employment opportunities, seniors for life-saving services, and businesses for commerce.”
“The outcome of this survey could heavily determine the funding that will be made available to Lawrence County and the communities that receive a significant investment of those funds. Without resident participation, unserved or underserved locations would go unnoticed. We want everyone in the county to have this opportunity to voice their concerns about broadband in their area.”
FAQ
Is the information I provided in the survey safe?
Yes, the information you provided will remain secure. All information gathered will be used exclusively for broadband planning purposes and never sold.
What is broadband?
Broadband allows users to connect to the internet at significantly higher speeds than those with traditional dial-up services.
What should I do if I have issues with this website?
Please try refreshing the browser. If you still experience difficulties, try visiting the survey link from a different browser like Firefox or Chrome.
When might I expect to see faster internet speeds in my neighborhood?
Once funding is secure, county officials will work to identify Early Action Project areas as well as to develop a schedule for the remaining areas of the county. Join the Lawrence County broadband email list below to receive the latest information on broadband expansion, and be the first to know when high-speed internet is coming to your area!
Will the results of this survey be made public?
Yes. As a whole, the results of the Lawrence County Broadband Program survey and speed test will be made available via an official county report later this summer.
When does the survey end?
The survey closed on May 26, 2023.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
Questions or concerns can be sent to feedback@LinkUpLawrence.com or call 724-495-4302.
We know you have questions. If you don’t find an answer below, please send us a message using the Contact Us form at the bottom of this page.
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Contact Us
We’re here to help. Feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns, and we’ll make every effort to respond in a timely manner.