TestIT Broadband Mapping and #RuralBroadbandDay
7.30.2019
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Press Releases
In anticipation of the Rural Broadband Day of Action, July 31, 2019, we’re sharing an update on TestIT, the broadband mapping mobile app, and suggesting action steps you, our rural partners, can take.
TestIT was released this past spring to help track and identify gaps in broadband coverage across rural America – and we couldn’t be more pleased with the number of downloads for TestIT! In total, we have had more than 70,000 internet speed tests, and that is thanks to our partners and their ability to rally community around advocating for issues that matter.
Below are TestIT download and map links; a call to action for Rural Broadband Day of Action July 31; and a short 14-question survey about your community’s broadband issues.
TestIT download and map links
Here are the links to download the app in both the Android and iPhone stores. Here is the link to a draft map, broken out by state, which shows where internet access speeds are above or below the FCC minimum standard of 25 Mbps. And down below is the body of a sample email you can copy and send out to your network.
Rural Broadband Day of Action
Wednesday, July 31st, is the Rural Broadband Day of Action, being launched by the House Ag Committee. We encourage folks to join in by tweeting about the importance of rural broadband to the future of your economies, and share the app and/or the coverage map, using the hashtag #RuralBroadbandDay.
Broadband survey
We need your help! Please complete the short 14-question survey linkedHERE. It is important that we learn about your individual needs in order to better support communities in getting connected through high speed and reliable broadband. Please complete this survey by COB Monday, August 12, 2019.
Thank you!
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SAMPLE EMAIL TO FORWARD TO YOUR NETWORK
Dear ______,
I am writing to share an exciting grassroots effort to advocate for better broadband in rural communities, which we all know is a critical need.
Currently, data indicating broadband availability and speed is reported twice a year by ISPs, but there is no mechanism to verify the accuracy of the data, and anecdotal evidence suggests an entire ZIP code is oftentimes marked as “served” with broadband if just one home in the census block has coverage. In response, NACo, Rural LISC, RCAP and NADO created a mobile app that harnesses grassroots advocacy by empowering individual users to accurately identify areas with low or no internet connectivity. This data will be aggregated to identify gaps in broadband coverage and help guide advocacy for adequate funding and inform decision-making at federal, state and local levels.
Raise your voice for better rural broadband access…by raising your smartphone! Download the TestIT app to help gather more accurate broadband coverage data for our small towns and rural communities. To download the app, follow the easy steps listed below:
Step 1:Locate the iOS/Android App Store on your phone.
Step 2: Search for “TestIT” in your mobile app store (see icon below).
Step 3: Download TestIT mobile app.
Step 4: Open TestIT mobile app and click "Test Speed Here!"
(Repeat Step 4 as frequently as possible)
Let’s do this!
