Deadline looms for business broadband surveys

Through Gov. Jay Nixon’s MoBroadbandNow initiative, the state is seeking input from businesses statewide about their current broadband status, needs and challenges.
 
Broadband typically enables access to high-speed Internet and high-capacity data communications and is an alternative to low-speed options such as dial-up connections, according to www.mobroadbandnow.com.

Nixon launched the initiative to develop a public-private partnership to build broadband access statewide, with the goal of increasing accessibility to 95 percent of Missouri residents and businesses by 2015.

Local entities working to boost broadband access include Marshfield-based Show-Me Technologies LLC and Ozarks Technical Community College. In late 2010, Show-Me Technologies and OTC received a combined $27 million in grant funding to be used to expand Show-Me Technologies' middle-mile network and add a public computing center at OTC's Lebanon campus.

Seymour-based Finally Broadband, Cape Girardeau-based Big River Telephone Co. and Columbia-based Socket Television also are working to boost statewide broadband access through Nixon's initiative, armed with a combined $49.1 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
Companies are urged to complete broadband business surveys by June 15, and the results of the survey will be used to help Missouri’s regional technology planning teams gain a better understanding of broadband availability and adoption, and how these support economic opportunity.
 
Surveys can be completed online here.

“High-speed Internet can have a tremendous impact on the local economy and job creation by allowing businesses to deliver faster services and compete in a global economy,” said MoBroadbandNow Director Damon Porter, in the release. “Receiving feedback from local businesses is critical and an important part of the planning process.”