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Posted on January 4th, 2024 in Community Development, How To | No Comments »

Aerial view of Indiana rural town with sunset in the background.Purdue Extension is launching the Purdue Broadband Team (PBT) to harness the power of Indiana’s land-grant institution to help expand broadband access, adoption, and use as an essential catalyst for economic growth in the state. The Purdue Extension PBT is part a collaborative effort between Purdue, the Indiana Broadband Office, and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Coordinated by Purdue’s Office of Engagement, the Purdue Broadband Team will include Purdue Extension, 4-H, the Purdue Center for Regional Development and the Purdue for Life Foundation. View Purdue News – Purdue launches broadband team, effort to increase high-speed internet access, adoption and use throughout Indiana.

“The lack of affordable high-speed broadband affects economic development and quality of life in various communities in our state,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “Continuing our long-standing tradition as Indiana’s land-grant institution, Purdue is honored to play a small and hopefully useful role as the state government plans the next-level broadband deployment.”

Why PBT?
The federal government, in partnership with states, is deploying broadband funds through the Broadband Equity, Adoption, and Deployment program, also known as BEAD. Indiana is receiving close to $870 million starting mid to late 2024. A map put together by the Federal Communications Commission or FCC, the government entity that regulates telecommunications, will dictate where these funds go.

So, PBT needs to make sure Indiana’s broadband map is as accurate as possible.

The PBT will help by spreading the word on resources that will make Indiana’s broadband map more accurate and help with broadband adoption which includes:

  • Validating your address and internet service available on the FCC map
  • Applying for the Indiana Connectivity Program or ICP
  • Conducting speed tests or reporting a lack of connectivity at your address
  • Learning more about the Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP

To learn more about the PBT and how you can get involved, along with how to test your internet connection, view the : Purdue Broadband Team website.

Resources:
The Time for Broadband is Now – Purdue University is Playing its Part, Purdue Extension News
Thinking Broadly About Broadband, Purdue Extension News
Purdue Extension Community Development, programs include: Digital Ready Business; Digital Ready Community; Remote Work Certificate Program; Essential Digital Employability Skills Program; and much more.
Broadband, Purdue Center for Regional Development
Connecting Indiana: Broadband for the Future is Now, Purdue Center for Regional Development

Diana Evans, Extension & Web Communications Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Purdue Extension

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