New Federal Funding Could Lead to Improved Internet Access in Oregon
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY -New federal funding has created an opportunity for improved internet access in Oregon which could also improve access in rural areas like Eastern Oregon.
Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEODD) is making a request for citizens who have home internet to please go to www.FasterInternetOregon.org from your *home computer* and take the quick Internet speed test. If you don’t have home Internet, you can call 541-426-7500 or use your cell phone to go to the website and indicate your lack of service at home.
Union County Commissioner Matt Scarfo says “I encourage everyone to participate in Faster Internet Oregon. The speed test is safe and easy. New federal funding creates a rare opportunity to improve internet access and affordability in Oregon, especially in communities that need it most. Your participation helps provide accurate information about gaps in service and the best approaches to fix them.”
The following release was issued by NEODD
“The Union-Wallowa Broadband Action Team is encouraging everyone to take the Faster Internet Oregon speed test. Go to fasterinternetoregon.org to take the speed test using your home internet. The speed test will take about a minute of your time. All data is secured, confidential and will not be used to sell you anything or to contact you. The Northeast Oregon Economic Development District (NEOEDD) has set up a phone line to call if you don’t have internet at home – call 541-426-7500 to provide your physical address and the reason you don’t have internet at home.
Faster Internet Oregon is a partnership of Oregon Economic Development Districts, Onward Eugene, SpeedUpAmerica and Link Oregon. FasterInternetOregon.org gathers and maps true home internet speeds in your community so that decision-makers have the information they need to make fast, affordable internet available for everyone. Data privacy is of the upmost importance. No personally identifiable information beyond the test participant’s address will be stored and address information will not be available for public viewing nor be used for commercial or marketing purposes. Only partners who have signed a data privacy agreement can view the detailed data.
The Union-Wallowa Broadband Action Team is one of many teams throughout Oregon identifying areas without adequate broadband access and taking steps to improve access and availability. Oregon expects to deploy over $156 billion of funding from the US Treasury to improve broadband infrastructure. Our team wants to know where additional investments are needed so that broadband access is available for more of our residents. Taking the speed test or reporting that internet is not available at your location will help the team know where to focus their efforts.”
