Montgomery County asks internet users to help with speed tests

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VA -- Montgomery County is joining with other Virginia counties to map broadband availability by starting their own local Internet speed testing campaign. Residents with Internet access are asked to take the Accelerate Virginia speed test to help identify areas in the county in need of better access to high-speed Internet services. To take the survey and speed test please visit the website: http://acceleratevirginia.org/speedtest.

The Accelerate Virginia Internet speed test is a two-minute simple online survey and speed test that measures the overall quality and performance of your Internet connection.  Upon completion of the speed test users will receive performance details regarding their Internet connection, as well as a comparison summary based on other speed test results in your community.

Because numerous, often temporary factors affect connection speed, you may want to take the speed test more than once, at different dates and times. The average of those readings will present the most reliable overall measure of your connection capabilities.  Factors that may influence Internet speed include: configuration of computer, network or Internet congestion, and server and router speeds.
The Accelerate Virginia campaign’s goal is to collect 300-500 speed tests per county. The data will provide county officials with a more accurate understanding of broadband availability, as well as identify areas of potential need for improved services.  The more participation we have the better the assessment will be for Montgomery County.

Accelerate Virginia was launched in 2010 as an extension of the Virginia Tech eCorridors program and is responsible for the collection of consumer broadband availability data for Virginia’s  broadband mapping initiative.

The Virginia Broadband Map can help residents understand the type of broadband service available at any location in the state as well as the level of upload/download speeds that are available at that location. http://mapping.vita.virginia.gov/broadband/

If you cannot receive high speed Internet services at your address, please register your broadband dead zone at: http://www.broadband.gov/qualitytest/deadzone/

Users of Apple iPhone or Android mobile platforms are encouraged to install the free ‘FCC Broadband Test’ App to test the speed of their mobile connection.

Taken from WSLS-TV 10
Published: May 30, 2012
By: Town of Blacksburg news release

Board discusses broadband service

The road to the future hangs along wooden poles next to highways, paved with miles and miles of cable wires connecting literally everything. Broadband internet access has emerged as an expected service in the daily lives of businesses and individuals and is the great cultural and technological force of our time. While it seems everyone and everything is speeding up, though, rural areas suffer in the great megabyte race by the very nature that defines them. In counties like Orange, broadband access can be few and far between, especially for businesses, but county officials hope participation in a new statewide speed test might raise awareness of the state of the county’s wires.

Broadband access in Orange County is currently confined largely to towns of Orange and Gordonsville and the densely populated neighborhoods in the county’s eastern end, said county information technology manager Larry Clement, and that reality appears unlikely to change in the near future.

“Orange County has a very limited amount of quality broadband service, mainly centered towards the towns,” said Clement. “The problem is carriers want a certain density level [to justify installing fiber.] They want to be able to get a return on their investment in infrastructure. Miles of cable and labor are expensive. It’s not cost-beneficial for them to install five miles of cable to hook up five customers.”

During a board of supervisors’ discussion on broadband in a recent meeting, District 1 Supervisor Shannon Abbs stated that access to high-speed internet was well beyond luxury in today’s society, that citizens and businesses alike depend on the broadband in a way similar to water and sewer service and paved roads.

“It’s a quality of life factor today,” said Abbs. “With everything going to computers, people pay their bills online, file for unemployment online, do schoolwork, take online classes, telecommuting. It’s not just a luxury anymore; people rely on broadband to do all the things they need to do.”

Much of Abbs’ district is forced to use dial-up internet service simply due to a lack of broadband infrastructure in the area. For some tasks, Abbs said this entry-level speed is adequate, but is becoming less and less so for most activities.

“When you have dial-up, it’s nearly impossible to do what’s required of you for school,” she said.
Orange County Economic Development Director Karen Epps, who has initiated most of the broadband conversations before the board of supervisors, said the county’s limited broadband service impacts businesses to a larger extent than residential users.

“For businesses, it’s really limited,” said Epps. “The installation cost is so astronomical; the carriers aren’t getting a return on their investment if they don’t have a high density of users. We definitely need to improve our broadband capabilities for businesses.”

Epps said that larger internet users, such as Macmillan Publishing Services in Gordonsville, have reported occasional problems with the speed of the available service, particularly with regard to video conferencing.

A broadband map created by the state’s office of telework promotion and broadband assistance depicts Orange County’s broadband access of both mobile and fixed carriers. The map predominantly shows fixed coverage along the county’s major east-to-west thoroughfare, Route 20 and in the towns and eastern part of the county. The mobile coverage is shown in the county’s more rural sections away from the main roads.

Clement said that the state’s definition of broadband is somewhat weak in terms of what such speeds can offer residents and businesses. He said the state defines broadband internet as a downloading speed of 768kb and uploading speed of 250kb.

“It’s a little on the low end,” he said. “If people wanted to do things like video conferencing or training, it’s not really adequate.”

Given the high cost of high-speed infrastructure, Orange County’s solution to its broadband concerns, at least for residents, could come from the air rather than the land. While the traditional internet service seems to have plateaued at DSL for much of broadband coverage areas, the bristling speed with which mobile coverage has been improving make what Clement calls “myfi” perhaps a viable option for the county’s more rural sections. Clement said the current top-of-the-line coverage for mobile users, 4G offers download speeds of 3 mb and uploading at 1 mb.

“It works fine for residential, but you can’t run a company on myfi,” said Clement.
Epps recently signed up the county for what is essentially a speed test for localities in Virginia. The program, Accelerate Virginia, encourages citizens to log on an run a speed test at one’s residence in order to create a database profiling the extend of the county’s broadband needs.

“We hope to use [the database] as far as working with service providers in terms of getting them to improve coverage in our area,” said Epps.

The data collection is currently open and will end after 30 days, at which point Epps said the county will study the findings and use them to portray the need of the county.
“Increasing broadband access continues to be an issue,” she said. “We’re not the only one in this position, though it doesn’t make it better to say we’re not alone.”

Citizens can participate in the speed test by going to http://acceleratevirginia.org/.

Taken from Orange County Review
Published: May 16, 2012
By: Drew Jackson

Strike up the (broad) band: county initiates connection conversation

We are encouraged to hear the Orange County Board of Supervisors is discussing the limited broadband access in Orange County and that Orange County Economic Development Director Karen Epps is trying to do something about it.

For the most part, broadband access in Orange County is currently confined to towns of Orange and Gordonsville and the densely populated neighborhoods in the county’s eastern end and absent any dramatic changes in the county’s composition, is likely to stay that way.

Still, that doesn’t mean we have to be connection-content. As supervisor Shannon Abbs noted, broadband access is no more a luxury than paved roads and water and sewer service. It’s a fundamental need for our daily lives, whether we’re conducting commercial enterprises, online transactions or simply communicating.

Epps recently signed up the county for what is essentially a local connection speed test. The program, Accelerate Virginia, encourages citizens to log on and run a speed test from their homes which will help create a database profiling the extent of the county’s broadband needs.

“We hope to use [the database] as far as working with service providers in terms of getting them to improve coverage in our area,” said Epps. While it won’t guarantee a provider will make the kind of investment required to increase connection speeds countywide (which would be substantial), the county will at least have a better idea of its citizens’ interest in the service and where its needs are greatest.

While carriers will want a substantial density of users to justify running miles of expensive cable, the county can’t solicit potential providers without the data to support any need-based claims.

The data collection is currently open and will end after 30 days, at which point Epps said the county will study the findings and use them to portray the need of the county.

We can talk all we want about recruiting economic development, but where rail lines and highways were once primary determining factors, high-speed access is now a critical determinant among corporate considerations. This study at least attempts to measure our shortcomings so we can begin addressing them.

Citizens can participate in the speed test by going to http://acceleratevirginia.org/. Our participation is an investment in a better future for our community. Thanks to the county for getting the ball rolling.

Taken from Orange County Review
Published: May 16, 2012
By: Orange News Staff

Loudoun County Internet Speed Test to Identify Areas in Need of Broadband

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, Loudoun County begins a local Internet speed testing campaign, in partnership with Accelerate Virginia, which will map broadband availability throughout the county. Residents and business owners with Internet access are asked to take the Accelerate Virginia speed test to help identify areas in the county in need of better access to high speed internet services.

By participating in the Loudoun County Internet speed testing campaign, residents will receive real-time information about the quality of their Internet connection. They will also be contributing information that supports Virginia’s effort to accurately map current broadband availability across the state, help drive future policy decisions and strategically direct future funding to areas of need.

To participate in the Loudoun County Internet speed testing campaign, residents and business owners should visit http://acceleratevirginia.org/speedtest and take the two-minute speed test from their computers. For those who cannot receive high speed Internet service, please register your broadband ‘dead zone’ at http://www.broadband.gov/qualitytest/deadzone/.

Information from speed tests and the dead zone registry comes together with coverage claims from broadband providers in the Virginia Broadband Map
http://mapping.vita.virginia.gov/broadband/. The Virginia Broadband Map can help residents and business owners understand the type of broadband service that might be available at any location in the state as well as the level of upload/download speeds that are available at that location. Input from users helps to ensure that Virginia’s broadband map is accurate and that broadband availability continues to increase in the areas that need it most. If you have problems or questions, please call Jean Plymale at 1-540-231-2270 or email vplymale@vt.edu.

# # #

Contact: Anna Nissinen, Public Affairs and Communications Officer, 703-777-0113; anna.nissinen@loudoun.gov

Taken from Loudoun County
February 28, 2012

Got Five Minutes? Help Improve Broadband Access in Virginia.

If your business is like most, your broadband Internet access is a lifeline that connects you to the information and people you need to make your business work. Could you function without it? If your answer is no, then lend a hand to the Accelerate Virginia Project, run by Virginia Tech’s eCorridors program.

Accelerate Virginia is part of the Virginia broadband mapping initiative and is collecting end-user Internet connectivity information to be used in conjunction with the information supplied by Internet service providers to more accurately map the availability and speed of broadband Internet in the Commonwealth.

Participating is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Just visit the Accelerate Virginia webpage and follow the easy instructions. You’ll be helping Accelerate Virgina to map current Internet availability and you’ll also get an instant review of your broadband speed connection as well as a survey of what others in your community are reporting. And, it will only take about 5 minutes of your time!

After you’re done, don’t forget to share the Accelerate Virginia link with your friends, family, and business associates. Remember, end-user input will help to verify the state broadband map and make it easier to identify and serve areas in need of affordable broadband infrastructure investment.

Visit www.acceleratevirginia.org for more information.

Taken from Business First
November 10, 2011
By Grace Festa

Broadband study shows growing need

When Sherry Swinson, Powhatan’s Director of Economic Development, received a grant last year to conduct surveys on internet usage, she discovered that many county residents have internet service that is neither as fast nor as reliable as they want or need.

Swinson found that inadequate broadband capability was not only affecting homes in more rural parts of the county, but was also proving to be problematic for businesses along the Route 60 corridor. “We have had a lot of people locate their business on 60,” Swinson said, “who were guaranteed a certain [broadband] service, only to find out later that the service was unavailable.” To attract and retain commercial enterprise, Swinson said, all areas of the county need access to reliable high-speed internet.

This is why Swinson is encouraging Powhatan residents to participate in the Accelerate Virginia speed testing campaign. Residents can take the 2-minute test from their home or business computers, and are encouraged to take the test several different times at different times of day to provide the most comprehensive picture of their internet service.

Jean Plymale, a member of Virginia Tech’s eCorridors program, which designed and runs the Accelerate Virginia campaign, said in an email that “The purpose of the study is to collect data which will enable us to better understand the availability of broadband services throughout Virginia.”

Regarding the term “broadband,” Plymale said that “it means different things to different people and it’s changing all the time.”

“Basically what we want is for people to have the speeds that they need to use the applications that they want,” Plymale said.

Plymale said that as of last Friday 49 Powhatan residents had taken the test. Accelerate Virginia’s goal is to collect 300-500 speed tests per county.

“Places like Stafford and Fauquier Counties got over 700 speed tests,” Plymale said in an email. “[The] bottom line [is] the more consumer speed test data we get, the better analysis we can produce.”

But is there an incentive for companies like Verizon and Comcast to provide broadband service to remote areas where few potential customers?

“The incentive isn’t there today,” Plymale said, “but that isn’t to say it won’t be there tomorrow.” Plymale said that smaller internet providers can often be a good choice for rural customers.

“The smaller companies support speed testing, because they’re very responsive to their customers,” Plymale said.

To take the Accelerate Virginia speed test or to learn more about the program please visit: http://www.acceleratevirginia.org/

Taken from Powhatan Today
November 09, 2011
By Emily Darrell

Appomattox County Joins “Accelerate Virginia” -- Residents Asked to Run Broadband Speed Test

The Board of Supervisors has agreed to join Accelerate Virginia, part of the Commonwealth's effort to accurately map broadband availability. Each participating county will be conducting a local campaign to encourage residents to test their broadband speed or report that broadband is not available at their specific location. Residents are asked to take the Accelerate Virginia speed test with the goal of helping identify areas of the county in need of better access to high-speed Internet services.

The Accelerate Virginia Internet speed test is a short and simple online survey coupled with a speed test measuring the overall quality and performance of your Internet connection. Upon completion of the speed test, users will receive performance details regarding their Internet connection as well as a comparison summary based on other speed test results within the community.

To participate in the Appomattox County Internet speed testing campaign, all residents with Internet access are asked to visit http://acceleratevirginia.org/speedtest and take the two-minute speed test from their home computers. Accelerate Virginia also encourages business owners to take the speed test from their business locations. Everyone is asked to spread the word and encourage friends and neighbors to participate.

Residents without high speed Internet service are asked to register their broadband dead zone at: http://www.broadband.gov/qualitytest/deadzone/.

Because numerous, often temporary, factors affect connection speed, you may want to take the speed test more than once, and do so at different dates and times. The average of those readings will present the most reliable overall measure of your connection capabilities. When you connect to the Internet, the speeds you experience will vary based on a variety of factors, including:

• the configuration of the computer from which you are testing;
• your home networking configuration;
• the number of computers and other networked equipment using the available bandwidth at the same time a speed test is being run – for the best results, do not download/upload movies, music, photos etc while running any Internet speed test;
• network or Internet congestion - different times of the day are busier than others;
• server and router speeds of the websites you access;
• and the condition of the wiring at your location.

The Accelerate Virginia campaign’s goal is to collect 300-500 speed tests per county. The data will provide county officials with a more accurate understanding of broadband availability, as well as identify areas of potential need for improved services. The more participation we have, the better the broadband assessment will be for Appomattox County.

Often referred to as high-speed Internet service, broadband makes possible videoconferencing, and Internet phone (VoIP), streaming media, interactivity, and real-time online consultation. Broadband allows faster and richer interactions between citizens and government, businesses and customers, educators and students, libraries and patrons, and families and friends. Broadband empowers Appomattox County residents to launch businesses, work from home, expand their studies, pay bills, conduct research, complete homework, play games and be entertained, exchange e-mails or photos, even stay connected through social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

By improving communication and the flow of information, broadband creates jobs, decreases health care costs, reduces miles driven and fossil fuels consumed, expands consumer choices, improves competition, and entertains more people for less cost. Broadband is the backbone of a high skill, high tech economy, and can lead to a better life for everyone in Virginia.

William T. Craft, Chairman of the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors, is strongly encouraging every resident and business owner in Appomattox to participate in this broadband speed test initiative. According to Mr. Craft, “Maximum broadband availability is extremely important to the economic development efforts of the County. Appomattox is blessed with the Mid-Atlantic Broadband fiber backbone, but now it is important to improve “last-mile” coverage to areas not currently served with high-speed internet. This will allow more County residents to telecommute to work, to take distance-learning classes from colleges and universities across the country, and to submit job applications and resumes online in the attempt to increase their economic well being.”

Accelerate Virginia was launched in 2010 as an extension of the Virginia Tech eCorridors program and is responsible for the collection of consumer broadband availability data for Virginia’s broadband mapping initiative. By participating in the Appomattox County Internet speed testing campaign you will be getting real-time information about the quality of your Internet connection, a comparison summary of what others in your community are reporting, including provider names, connection types, speed averages and satisfaction ratings, and better awareness about the speed you need to access content and services you want. You will also be contributing information that will support Virginia’s effort to accurately map current broadband availability across the state as well as help drive future policy decisions which strategically direct future funding to areas of need.

For more information on Accelerate Virginia and the Appomattox County speed test initiative, please visit the Accelerate Virginia website or contact Jean Plymale, vplymale@vt.edu at (540) 231-2270.

Taken from Appomattox County, Virginia
Thursday, October 27, 2011