Internet availability- actual data needed from Twp residents

London Britain Township is still actively working with area broadband Internet service providers (ISP) to get better services to residents who are underserved. The Capital Projects Fund (CPF) is a program established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as part of the American Rescue Plan. Pennsylvania was awarded $279 million, of which $204 million was used to fund last mile and fiber to the premises networks.  The funding is directed towards improving broadband infrastructure to ensure all communities have access to high-quality Internet, which is essential for remote work, telehealth, and distance learning.

One ISP in London Britain Township applied for a CPF grant to address our broadband needs but unfortunately that application was challenged by other providers that claimed serviceable areas that were not shown as such on the maps provided by the FCC. Relying on that information and the density vs.cost proposition made the Township an undesirable application and the State decided to fund other applications. To improve our chances for future grant applications, we need to help update those maps with direct input from our residents.

Supervisor Bruce Yost and I had a very productive meeting with five representatives of a current ISP in which we learned some of these details. They emphasized the need for accurate maps and data and asked us if we could canvas our residents to get detailed "actual information" - which would be useful not only for potential funding - but important to share with local government officials as well.

To that end, I have five simple questions to help the process. By 9/15/24, please email responses including your address to the following questions (partial answers are acceptable) to carolyn.londonbritaintwp@comcast.net:

1.   Do you have access to High-Speed Internet from Comcast/Xfinity, or Verizon Fios, or some other provider?  Please list ALL possibilities AND your actual service provider.

2.  If you currently have Internet access, do (or could) your current Internet speeds exceed 100Mb Download and 20Mbps Upload?

3.  Is Comcast/Xfinity or Verizon Fios available on your street? Yes / No / Not Sure

4.  Have you been told you would be required to pay to bring service to your home or business (i.e.would you have to have a trunk line from the street to your residence to get service?)  Were you quoted a cost to do this?  If so, how much?  By which provider?

5.  When was the last time you attempted to order services? Please share any information gathered at that time.