University News
WIU Social Media Lab Promotes Accurate Internet Access Funding
February 27, 2024
MACOMB, IL - - The Social Media Lab at Western Illinois University is working to spread awareness about and assist with the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) challenge process. The State of Illinois was awarded $1.04 billion in federal BEAD funds to ensure every Illinoisan has access to high-speed internet.
A challenge process has been enacted to determine where the funds will be spent over the next five years to ensure the communities in need of funding are accurately identified.
"There are many underserved communities in West Central Illinois in need of these funds. This is a chance to speak up and make our needs heard," Communication Professor Josh Averbeck said.
There are thousands of households that need high-speed internet access in West Central Illinois. The new funding would provide fiber-optic cable, far exceeding current infrastructure capabilities.
"We have households who cannot interact with the global marketplace, access telehealth services or enroll in education opportunities because the internet service is either unreliable or incapable of high-speed service," Averbeck said.
The Illinois Office of Broadband and the Illinois Broadband Lab have created maps showing the internet capabilities of each household and community anchor institution in the state. Community anchor institutions include libraries, hospitals, schools and government buildings. Any location can challenge the accuracy of the map.
Individuals are encouraged to perform speed tests to check if they are receiving the internet speed they are paying for in their service agreement.
If individuals wish to submit a challenge, contact Professor Averbeck at jm-averbeck@wiu.edu or 309-298-5203. Challenges may only be submitted through those registered with the Office of Broadband.
"This may seem like a cumbersome step, but it provides an intermediate to ensure the proper information is submitted and challenges will be successful," Averbeck said.
The challenge process begins Tuesday, Feb. 27 and is only open for two weeks.
For more information on broadband serviceable locations, visit go.wiu.edu/3Te4Prk.
For more information on community anchor institutions, visit go.wiu.edu/3TgkrL7.
For more information on speed tests, visit beadchallenge.org.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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