Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative (PPEC) recognizes the importance of internet access to modern life, and – as we are always looking out for our members and the betterment of our member territories – we want to bring this to your attention.
Funding is available for various entities to bring high-speed internet (broadband) to unserved and underserved rural areas. The first step of this process is identifying which areas do – and do not – have sufficient internet speeds and should therefore be eligible for funding.
Currently, a preliminary broadband map indicates the areas where existing providers have claimed they deliver internet service. From now until April 17, Indiana citizens can offer commentary on the accuracy of this map through a challenge process.
What can I do?
- Take action by Wednesday, April 17
- Test your service by visiting www.connectingindiana.com and clicking the “Test Your Internet” button.
- Check the status of your home or business on the Broadband Map by visiting www.connectingindiana.com/register/bead/map.
Establishing the accuracy of this broadband availability map is imperative to potentially bringing new or improved broadband service to areas deemed eligible for funding.
Why does PPEC care?
As a community-focused organization, we recognize that high-speed broadband access is critical for quality-of-life amenities. Should you be dissatisfied with your existing option(s), you have the power to help shape the future connectivity landscape.
For any questions or concerns about this initiative or PPEC’s engagement on the issue, please contact Engineering Manager Nick Eltzroth at 419-399-1875 or neltzroth@ppec.coop. Indiana Broadband’s office can be reached at inbroadband@sba.in.gov.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a federal program that provides $42 billion nationwide to expand high-speed broadband access. BEAD was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is overseen by the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA). BEAD prioritizes unserved locations that have no internet access or limited access under 25/3 Mbps and underserved locations that only have access under 100/20 Mbps.
Indiana was awarded $868 million in BEAD funds to ensure that every Indiana resident has access to high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband access.
The Indiana Broadband Office is planning and currently determining exactly how BEAD funds will be spent in the state. The first step towards this planning is the drafting and submission of the Initial Proposal, a document that contains two volumes and describes how the Indiana Broadband Office will determine which addresses, called broadband serviceable locations (BSLs), in Indiana are eligible for these funds and how funds will be allocated and awarded to Internet Service Providers (ISPs)