Empowering Indiana Residents: Join the Broadband Challenge with Purdue’s New Tool

You may recall, the Purdue Broadband Team or PBT launched in October of last year with the intent of increasing awareness on tools to improve broadband data. Most of you have likely conducted speed tests, checked your address and broadband service listed in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband map, or may have signed up for the Indiana Connectivity Program or ICP.

In addition to all this, the state of Indiana—through the Indiana Broadband Office—is running a limited time broadband service and availability challenge process (from March 4 through April 17, 2024) that is separate from the FCC challenges you may have submitted over the past several months. This state challenge process is part of the Broadband Equity, Adoption, and Deployment (BEAD) program in which Indiana will receive up to $868 million dollars to build broadband.

During this challenge process, Internet service providers, nonprofits, and local governments can submit a challenge by registering to have access to the challenge platform. To help with this effort, Purdue University—as part of the Purdue Broadband Team—has developed a tool to make it easier to gather the evidence and information needed for an availability challenge or a speed challenge. The availability challenge type will allow Indiana residents to gather evidence to challenge reported broadband availability for their address. The speed type of challenge documents that the actual speed of the service tier falls below the unserved (less than 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 megabits per second (Mbps) upload) or underserved threshold (less than 100 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 megabits per second (Mbps) upload).

What will you need before using our tool?

Depending on the challenge type, you will need screenshots or PDF reports. In the case of an availability challenge, you will need a screenshot of the selected evidence type. On the other hand, if it’s a speed challenge, you will need at least three speed tests (via https://connectingindiana.com) conducted on three different days over the past 30-45 days as well as a copy of your latest internet bill that shows the internet service you subscribe to. Also, please have the name of your internet provider as well as the internet technology subscribed to.

This is the time! Here is where the rubber meets the road. Ensuring funds are invested in the areas that need it the most requires all hands-on deck. Purdue University has helped increase awareness and developed tools. We now need you as residents of Indiana to cross the finish line by compiling the needed evidence.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ben St. Germain or Dr. Andrey Zhalnin at PCRD.