What will it take for Somerset countians to access internet service that really works?
SOMERSET — How does internet connectivity impact individual and family Somerset County residents?
How does it affect Somerset County businesses, and thus, residents?
An upcoming countywide public meeting Dec. 5 opens the door for anyone to walk through to discuss that impact and the strategy that will give the countians the high-speed and never-off internet connection they need to live in today's global world.
Interestingly enough, the public meeting is a hybrid format being held in-person and virtually for those in the county who can access the meeting through their internet connection. In-person attendance, however, is encouraged by county officials. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Somerset County Library, 6022 Glades Pike – Room 129. Attendees should enter Founders Hall at the Somerset County Library entrance.
To join
For those who plan on attending virtually or to call into the meeting, the access information is as follows:
To join online call the commissioners' office at 814-445-1400 to find out how to access the link.Call-in information: (412) 634-6334Phone Conference ID: 897 036 612#Attendees will learn about broadband internet and hear a presentation about the project led by the Somerset County Commissioners and their consultant Michael Baker International.
What is needed?
Residents can share their internet experiences in the county and will learn how internet connections impact other residents, businesses and local community organizations in the community.
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“This countywide meeting is an opportunity for the public to ask us questions and share their feedback on the internet connectivity in Somerset,” said Somerset County Commissioner Gerald Walker in a media release. “The feedback collected from the public meeting will help us develop a broadband expansion plan tailored to the county’s unique needs.”
Happening: Broadband survey for Somerset County is starting off strong
Somerset County residents and business owners can visit connectsomersetcounty.com to take a seven-minute survey designed to support the study and further assess internet needs in each community countywide. As residents complete the survey questions, internet download and upload speeds will be assessed and automatically populated. The deadline to take the survey is December 15.
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.
A bit of history: county and broadband
County officials have tried to bring broadband to all countians for nearly two decades, holding meetings, coming up with plans, even reaching out to internet servers to try to get it done.
Besides the mountains and valleys in the rural county and lack of towers, there has always been the problem of finding the money to pay for that connection.
"That was the silver lining to the pandemic cloud," said county Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes, who as as county official and nonprofit leader has been part of the push for countywide internet connection for a good part of the effort over about two decades.
More: Somerset County Library users can access services even when building is closed
The pandemic has brought forth funds.
"We had good intentions it was an issue to have the resources to do it," Tokar-Ickes said.
But even silver linings are limited.
"Even with the billions that is available now as the result of the federal legislation, I would venture to say, there will be competition for those dollars. And areas that have their ground game and their mapping done will be ahead of that curve, so that is where we have to put the county moving forward," Tokar-Ickes said.
Want the survey?
For questions regarding this study or to request a printed copy of the survey, call 724-495-4304 or email [email protected]. To learn more about the survey and to stay up to date on the latest progress, visit connectsomersetcounty.com and join the Connect Somerset County mail.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: What will it take for Somerset countians to access internet service?