Leon County working towards elevated web entry, conducting surveys

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County Commissioners are working towards elevated entry to excessive velocity web for residents all through the world.

Throughout Tuesday’s Fee assembly, Commissioners heard a standing report on the state of broadband entry and mentioned state and federal funding.

Based on the most recent standing report, there are nonetheless disparities in entry between rural and concrete areas of the county.

Nonetheless, there have been enhancements over the previous 12 months, and the common entry in Leon County is healthier than the state and federal common.

In Dec. 2021, Leon County libraries acquired an FCC Emergency Connectivity Grant to buy 100 cell hotspots, 100 Chromebooks and 100 tablets to lend out.

County Commissioner Brian Welch, who can be a instructor, says entry is significant for college kids and fogeys.

“Clearly, COVID made us conscious that it’s essential that now we have enough web entry, not only for college students, however individuals who do business from home. The best way that we work has modified, the best way that we go to high school has modified, and I believe so long as we proceed to see that, now we have to make sure that individuals have enough web entry,” Welch mentioned.

There are presently eight residential broadband suppliers in Leon County; that quantity doesn’t embody MetroNet, which is presently constructing its infrastructure, and SpaceX, which can be coming to the world later within the 12 months.

Leon County has a Native Expertise Planning Group engaged on a neighborhood broadband plan, together with an evaluation of strengths, weaknesses, alternatives and challenges.

The group meets month-to-month and is presently conducting a survey.

The group will submit the native plan to the state by the top of April.

Copyright 2022 WCTV. All rights reserved.