TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 1
FRIDAY, June 4, 2021
FOCUS ON
BUSINESS
Internet Speed in Central Texas Survey Temple Chamber of Commerce Staff
JUNE 2021 BUSINESS LINK LUNCH Thursday, June 10, 2021 12:00 pm
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The Temple Chamber of Commerce has joined a regional partnership to conduct a survey on the internet speed in Central Texas. These entities believe it is essential all businesses and households in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas Counties have access to secure, reliable, and affordable, high-speed broadband.
Many retail businesses also shifted their business models during the pandemic to offer online sales, deeming a solid internet connection necessary for conducting business. According to census data, in Texas, year-over-year sales tax revenue from online shopping rose by 41. 6 percent in November 2020 and 40.0 percent in December 2020.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Broadband is defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as an internet connection with sufficient speed to deliver online experiences including, fullmotion video without significant lag time. The FCC stated, “like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness, and a better way of life”.
The brief one-minute survey aims to identify the current needs and service levels in Central Texas and set the stage for determining outcomes for service offerings.
Thursday, June 17, 2021 5:00 pm
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In 2016, before the pandemic, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found the gap between those with broadband access and those without, commonly called the digital divide, “leads to further economic, social and political disparities for low-income and underserved populations”.
TempleChamber.com
The COVID-19 pandemic increased attention on the critical role that high-speed internet access plays in our daily life. The pandemic demanded social distancing, and broadband connections allowed people to work from home, connect with classrooms, access health care services, and perform ordinary household activities such as ordering groceries or prescriptions.
Personal information will not be public as the survey data will be aggregated and mapped to provide a visual representation of the network. The better the response rate, the more accurate it will be for our region. The mapped results will be used to approach existing and new internet providers to address speed and gaps in service.
Everyone who completes the survey is eligible to be entered into a drawing for a chance to win lunch for up to 10 people (home or office). The details are at the end of the survey. Complete the survey here: https://bit.ly/3rdCwbj.