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Michiganders Making Gains in Access to Higher Broadband Speed Tiers(PR Web Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Lansing, MI (PRWEB) June 23, 2014 Explore New Access Tables View the Map New research released today by Connect Michigan shows that 83.4% of Michigan households have access to fixed broadband at a minimum of 100 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload, a 60 percentage point increase in availability at this speed tier combination since October 2011. "Broadband availability continues to increase across Michigan," said Eric Frederick, Connect Michigan's executive director. "Still, there are regions in our state without access to broadband service at higher speed tiers and efforts to expand availability and increase speeds are needed." Among the findings of the new broadband availability research: • Since October 2013, broadband availability at 50 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload has increased 3 percentage points (excluding mobile wireless and satellite services). • Since October 2011, broadband availability at 100 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload has increased 60 percentage points (excluding mobile wireless and satellite services). • Since October 2011, broadband availability at 50 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload has increased 37 percentage points (excluding mobile wireless and satellite services).Since October 2011, broadband availability at 25 Mbps download/1.5 Mbps upload has increased 31 percentage points (excluding mobile wireless and satellite services). • Since October 2011, fixed wireless broadband availability has increased 37 percentage points. This is the ninth comprehensive broadband availability data release from Connect Michigan through the State Broadband Initiative (SBI) program. Connect Michigan's website is home to an innovative broadband mapping tool called My ConnectView, offering unmatched views of Michigan's technology landscape. Residents and businesses are encouraged to use the interactive map to find local providers and help validate the data. To report that broadband is not available in a given area, consumers can fill out a broadband inquiry form. Connect Michigan's research was conducted as part of the SBI grant program for Michigan, funded by the NTIA. The data were gathered in accordance with the requirements of the NTIA. The process begins by contacting all known providers in Michigan and providing information about the broadband mapping project. Information on broadband service areas is collected from each provider through voluntary participation and is subject to confidentiality protections. Connected Nation strives to maintain a flexible mapping process to collect data from providers in a variety of formats based on providers' technical capabilities and resources. # # # About Connect Michigan: As the designated entity for broadband mapping and planning in the state of Michigan, Connect Michigan is a public-private partnership between the Michigan Public Service Commission and Connected Nation to work with local governments, businesses, and citizens in the goal of increasing broadband service in the state's underserved areas. For more information about what Connect Michigan is doing to accelerate technology in Michigan's communities, visit http://www.connectmi.org. Follow Connect Michigan on Facebook or Twitter. Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/06/prweb11968304.htm (c) 2014 PRWEB.COM Newswire |