ELECTED
OFFICIAL
Tell Us About Internet
Connectivity in Your Community
Help us understand how the community you represent is affected by internet connectivity. Are there gaps in access to high-speed internet? Take the 60-second Utah Internet Speed Test at speedtest.utah.gov to help us identify areas in Utah that need better internet connectivity.
The speed test results will help identify areas that lack high-speed internet connections and direct dedicated federal funding towards providing high-speed internet access where it is needed most throughout the state.
Take the Utah Internet Speed Test Now
Share, share, share! We need to hear from you, your residents, your colleagues, your family, your neighbors, everyone. Connecting Utah seeks to make high-speed internet connectivity available, accessible and affordable to all Utahns.
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Connecting Utah, an initiative of the Utah Broadband Center and the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, works to ensure high-speed internet is accessible to every household in Utah. To learn more about us, click here.
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Help us spread the word. Can your community share information with residents through social media, newsletters or utility bills? Do you have an upcoming event or meeting where we can share this information? Email us today at connectingutah@utah.gov to request a content package or collateral items you can use to share with your community.
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Have more to discuss?
Email us today at connectingutah@utah.gov or call us at 435-264-8880 to set up a meeting with our team so we can connect!
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Want to learn more?
Internet 101
Broadband internet, commonly referred to as high-speed internet, uses high-speed transmission technologies such as fiber, wireless, satellite, digital subscriber line, and cable to provide internet access. In order for your internet connection to be considered broadband, your internet speeds must be at least 25 Megabits per second for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. Broadband is an essential resource for everyone, because it allows us to access the full potential of the internet.
THE NEED FOR SPEED
What does internet speed mean to me?
0-5
Mbps
5-40
Mbps
40-100
Mbps
100-500 Mbps
500-1000 Mbps
Send emails, search Google, stream videos in high definition (HD) on a single device,
stream music
Stream in HD on a few devices, play online games, run 1-2 smart devices, complete a
video call
Stream in 4K on 2-4 devices, play online games with multiple players, download big files (500 MB to 2 GB) quickly, run 3-5 smart devices
Stream 4K on 5+ devices, download very big files very quickly (2 to 30 GB), run 5+ smart devices
Stream in 4K on 10+ devices, download and upload gigabyte-plus-sized files at top speed, run 10 or more smart home devices with no delays
A high-speed internet connection has become an integral part of everyday life and is more than just having access to the web; it’s having the necessary bandwidth from a home or business to connect, learn and work.
Access to high-speed internet lays the foundation for quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and economic growth throughout Utah.
Why is access to high-speed
internet important?
Every Utahn matters. Even though Utah is home to one of the youngest, most technologically savvy, and most educated populations in the U.S., there are still major gaps in digital opportunities. To maintain our reputation as a premier global destination for business and quality of life, Utah must continue to provide leadership and strategic coordination in digital connectivity. This includes ensuring all of Utah’s unserved and underserved populations have access to technology and high-speed internet. This will allow these community members to improve their own quality of life as well as continued cultivation of Utah’s exceptional standard of living.
A high-speed internet connection has become an integral part of everyday life and is more than just having access to the web; it’s having the necessary bandwidth from a home or business to work, learn and thrive.
Connecting Utah seeks to create a plan that outlines strategic goals and initiatives that will steer the course of high-speed internet deployment, affordability, and adoption efforts across Utah.
Where we are today
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Not all Utahns have the option to purchase a home internet plan. Due to infrastructure gaps, many have limited choices in providers, outdated and slow service, or no service at all.
Access to high-speed internet is as important for rural residents as well as those living on the Wasatch Front. It provides the same economic and quality of life opportunities. But broadband infrastructure costs can be prohibitive in rural areas. Even in Utah’s more urban areas, too many people are left behind because they cannot afford internet service or because they lack the skills necessary to effectively use the internet or a connected device. We want to change this, but we need your help!
Connecting Utah envisions a digitally connected Utah where all can fully participate in modern society through access to
high-speed internet, useful devices, and tools to achieve digital independence.
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Money on the Table
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Programs
Federal funding for broadband projects, made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Telecommunications and Information Administration, is available through three Internet for All grant programs. These programs are building internet infrastructure, teaching digital skills, and providing the necessary technology to ensure everyone – including communities of color, rural communities, older Americans and Native American communities – has access and the skills they need to participate in today’s society fully.
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The three programs under this initiative are:
1.Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
2.Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
3.State Digital Equity Act Programs
The Utah Broadband Center is leveraging this national funding opportunity to make high-speed internet connectivity available, accessible and affordable to all Utahns.
Local Broadband Planning and Digital Access Grants are available to support local municipalities, counties, associations of governments, government agencies, Tribes and non-profits to assist in the development of local digital connectivity plans.
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The Local Broadband Planning Grant may provide up to $50,000 per award, and the Local Digital Access Planning Grant may provide up to $30,000 per award. Applicants can apply for one or both grants. Grant applications will close on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST. To learn more, visit the Utah Broadband Center website.
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The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The ACP provides eligible households $30 off their monthly internet bill. Additionally, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers with a $10 to $50 contribution toward the purchase price.
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To learn more about the ACP, visit acp.utah.gov.
Get Involved
Public input is essential to developing a comprehensive and responsive statewide Digital Connectivity Plan that meets the needs of every community and individual. We need to hear from you!
Here is how you can share your input.
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Utah Broadband Center Internet Speed Test
Already have internet, but feel the connection is slow? Whether you have excellent internet speeds or no access at all, take the Utah Internet Speed Test here. The Utah Internet Speed Test Campaign is a statewide initiative for all Utahns to self-report their internet speed at home, at work or from wherever they connect to the internet. The data collected will be mapped and used to invest in resources to improve broadband access across the state.
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No internet access?
Call the Connecting Utah Hotline at 435-264-8880.
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Responses and data collected from the survey will be kept private and will not be sold or be made available to third parties.
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Join Us
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As part of the planning effort, we will be visiting towns and cities throughout Utah. Sign-up for our email to know where we’ll be headed next and where you can join in the conversation.
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