Broadband survey for Somerset County is starting off strong

SOMERSET ― About 185 surveys have been filled out already to get better broadband and more reliable high-speed internet to Somerset County, and officials are pleased with the response so far.

Connect Somerset County Broadband Study and Survey is a multi-faceted project that will identify gaps in high-speed internet access and connectivity throughout the county. The survey provides the most accurate results when residents and business owners connect to their home or business wi-fi. To support the study, all Somerset County residents and business owners are encouraged to visit connectsomersetcounty.com to take a brief survey designed to assess internet needs in each community throughout the county.

Joseph Bzorek, Danyel Patrick and Meghan Rodgers, on behalf of Michael Baker International, which is conducting the survey, presented information to the Somerset County Commissioners Tuesday. The program was launched Sept. 26 and will remain open through Nov. 13.

More: Connect Somerset County to kick off broadband initiative survey

"The survey will help us gather data to best understand where in Somerset County there is no internet or slow internet," said Patrick, public affairs specialist.

As residents complete the survey questions, internet download and upload speeds will be assessed. Filling out the survey will enable them to see how quickly the individual's internet or how the wi-fi is working.

"Fill out the survey where you are getting your internet connection – at home or business, to get accurate data," Patrick said.

"The data we're collecting is important and compiling the data is a large task," said Bzorek, project manager. He said the broadband project should create improvement of emergency services and the broadband for residents helps for overall economic success.

Take the survey

The survey can be found at www.connectsomersetcounty.com. For those who don't have internet, call the commissioners' office at 814-445-1400 to request a paper copy of the survey.

Rodgers, public engagement specialist, said to check out Feedback@connectsomersetcounty.com, or call 724-495-4304, the hotline for the project. Participants can also sign up to get emailed updates, she said. Rodgers said the survey takes about 5-7 minutes to complete.

The survey results will provide a basis for the county to apply for federal funding and invest in high-speed broadband internet infrastructure where it’s needed the most.

"There is now $1.6 billion attached to the survey that we can get a piece of," Walker said. "This survey will definitely help us going in the right direction. Even if you've taken the survey in the past, take it again. It really is working toward getting the opportunity to get basic services. This is our best chance to get dollars to get the service for the underserved as well as those with no service."

The survey is not just for individuals, but also for businesses to fill out as well. The data collectors will be able to see what is actually represented as a residence or if it's an address from someone who is vacationing in Somerset County.

More: Where is wireless service now available in Paint Township?

"We are always working and to have that capacity to log on to do a little work is very important," Walker said. He said it will also show those families who have multiple people on the internet at one time and the speed of their connections.

"COVID brought it to light, the necessity for internet service for the county," Walker said.

The official Connect Somerset County final report and proposed next steps for broadband expansion will be available to the public after the study concludes in 2024. The commissioners have created a task force of 15 people, but they have not met yet. They are community representatives, school district representatives, township and borough officials, Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said.

"This round is $200 million. We're hoping local providers will put in their competitive applications," she said. "And they apply again in the next round. The county's purpose is to take a close look at what is underserved, so the ISP can know where to put service."

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Officials pleased with initial response numbers to internet survey