Are you among the nearly 1 million Hoosiers without access to high-speed internet? If so, the state is asking for your help by reporting your address and applying to have broadband efforts expanded to your area.
According to the 2022 Indiana Broadband Performance Trends data, over 230,000 locations are unserved and over 740,000 locations are underserved when it comes to broadband access.
If you’re a homeowner or business owner and your location is unserved or underserved (access to actual speeds less than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload), you can apply for consideration by creating an account with the Next Level Connections portal and entering your information to initiate your interest in receiving broadband internet service.
You can also register by phone at 833-639-8522 or by mail to the following address: Indiana Broadband Connect Center The Office of Community and Rural Affairs,1 N. Capitol Ave., Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Internet service providers will have the opportunity to review your location and submit bids to the state on the cost of providing service to your area. The state will evaluate these bids and make awards to the providers whose bid presents the lowest cost per Mbps to the state for extension of the service. In the most recent round of funding, the program awarded over $890,000 to expand broadband to 216 addresses across 23 counties.
Whether you’re learning, working or accessing critical services, having affordable and reliable high-speed internet service can be a necessity. As your state representative, I’ll continue to look for ways to help connect more residents and businesses, especially in our rural communities.
