Paul Hammel
LINCOLN — Nebraskans are being asked to examine an official map to double-check whether it accurately describes their access to high-speed internet.
The accuracy, or inaccuracy, of the Nebraska Broadband Availability Map will help determine how the state spends federal money to expand high-speed internet services across the state.
Nebraska is scheduled to receive $405 million via the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Act, which was part of the infrastructure law promoted by the Biden administration.
BEAD funds are to be used to deploy broadband in areas that are currently unserved, or underserved, by 2030. Locations that have access to internet with speeds of 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps uploads are considered “served” under the program.
The Nebraska Broadband Office, in a press release, said that the best way to ensure that a location is eligible for funding is to check the map and the status of service to a specific home, ranch or farm.
If the information is incorrect, the Broadband Office urges people to contact a local government office, a nonprofit or an internet service provider because they are the “advocates” that can submit challenges to the accuracy of the map.
Such entities should register with the State Broadband Office as advocates for their communities. Current, registered advocates are: broadband.nebraska.gov/challenge/consumers/find-an-advocate
The deadline for challenges to the map is April 14.
For more information, refer to the website, broadband.nebraska.gov