Now, more than ever, broadband internet is an essential and crucial service to those who live, learn and work in Ottawa County. However, reliable, affordable, and adequate broadband is not available countywide. In order to bridge this digital divide, Ottawa County and local partners have created a survey to provide accurate data regarding which properties have internet access, the affordability of that access if it is available, and the digital literacy of county residents.
This data collection effort is part of a larger, four-phase Comprehensive Digital Inclusion Strategy, a new initiative to ultimately establish universal access to affordable and reliable broadband across all areas of the County.
And, the Township is considering using a portion of the $1.83 million in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies that it will receive over the next twelve months to fund broadband needs in our area. (Ottawa County is also considering using a portion of the $56.68 ARPA monies it will receive for the same.)
The deadline for survey responses is September 17th. All households should complete this survey whether they pay for internet access at their property or not. Participants may not have all the necessary information to answer each question; please answer to the best of your ability.
Why is Ottawa County and its partners taking the lead in this effort? Because state and federal regulators, as well as national providers, are under the mistaken impression that reliable, high-speed broadband service is consistently available in nearly all corners of Ottawa County.
The source of the data problem is inaccurate maps. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maintains maps that illustrate broadband coverage across the U.S. based on Census blocks. But Census blocks vary widely in size based on population density. For example, a Census block in the city of Holland can be dramatically smaller than a block in a less densely populated township.
No matter the square mileage, if one home in a Census block has access, FCC maps record the entire block as having access, skewing the data. Additionally, the FCC relies upon internet providers to self-report where they have coverage. If a provider completes just one hookup in a given community, it is deemed the community is fully covered by that provider. These inaccurate maps have delayed and, in some cases, disqualified Ottawa County from qualifying for grants to improve service.
