LAWRENCEVILLE - The Brunswick County Economic Development Coordinating Council (EDCC) has joined with other Virginia counties to map broadband availability by starting their own local Internet speed testing campaign. Residences of Brunswick County and the Towns of Alberta, Brodnax and Lawrenceville, with Internet access, are asked to take the Accelerate Virginia speed test. The test will help identify areas where Internet services are available and those areas that are in need of access to high-speed Internet services.
The Accelerate Virginia Internet speed test is a short and 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 real time performance details regarding their Internet connection, as well as a comparison summary based on other speed test results in your community.
To participate in the Brunswick County EDCC's 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.
The Accelerate Virginia campaign's goal is to collect 300-500 speed tests per county. The testing has been extended until May 1, 2013. 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 the Brunswick County EDCC.
By participating in the Brunswick County EDCC's Internet speed testing campaign, you will also be contributing information that will support Virginia's effort to accurately map current broadband availability across the state and to help drive future policy decisions and strategically direct future funding to areas of need.
If you need further information or cannot receive high speed Internet services at your address, please register your broadband dead zone by calling Jean Plymale at (540) 231-2270 or email vplymale@vt.edu.
