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5-minute survey can be taken online or over the phone

POLK COUNTY—Polk County residents can take advantage of a survey being offered for Internet connectivity across the state.

The North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office and the Friday Institute at North Carolina State University is conducting a survey to gather information on Internet connectivity for North Carolina households and businesses. The data gathered from the 5-minute survey will be used to inform research, policy and funding recommendations to assist communities where Internet access is inadequate.

Click here to take the survey online.

The survey includes an optional Internet speed test, so people are encouraged to take the survey from that location if they have Internet at their home or business.

The survey is designed to gather information on locations without adequate Internet access and speeds throughout North Carolina.

For people without Internet service, the survey can be taken over the phone. The survey can be taken by texting the word INTERNET to 919-750-0553. Residents without texting capabilities can call 919-750-0553 and an interactive voice response system will guide them through a series of short questions.

The data gathered from the survey will guide investment funds through the state’s Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant program, inform research and policy recommendations and support strategic targeting of additional funding streams.

Polk County is one area of the state with issues having adequate Internet services. Real estate agents in the area have stressed to Polk County Commissioners the difficulty they have selling homes without broadband or weak broadband services. The county has established a committee and done surveys itself and reached out to providers in the last couple of years about the lack of service to some areas.