RESIDENT
HELP UTAH GET CONNECTED
The Utah Broadband Center wants to ensure that access to affordable and consistent high-speed internet is available to every Utahn regardless of status, income, or geographic location. We are looking for people who are interested in sharing their experiences and challenges using technology, devices, and home internet.
Tell Us About Your Internet Connectivity at Home
What is connectivity like where you live? Is your internet connection amazing, or do you wish it were faster or more reliable?
If you currently have internet access, take the 60-second Utah Internet Speed Test at speedtest.utah.gov to help us map internet speeds.
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.
If you don’t have access to the internet, please call our hotline at 435-264-8880 to let us know.
​
Share, share, share! We need to hear from you, your neighbors, your friends, your grandma, your aunt with typos in her text messages, your colleague whose computer buffers in a meeting at home… everyone!
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?
High-speed internet helps Utahns connect to work, education, healthcare, commerce and society. More and more services like financial tools, online courses or making reservations to your favorite venue have become more easily accessible, and in many cases, available only online. Those without full access to high-speed internet, devices and digital skills may not have equal opportunities.
​
Click here to check and see what internet connectivity looks like where you live now, and what service provider options you may have!
​
That gap between opportunity and access is what we call the digital divide. In Utah, this may look like households not having the option to purchase a home internet plan in their geographical location, outdated and slow service or without the ability to pay for service or devices. We want to change this, and we need your help!
Access to high-speed internet is as important for rural residents as it is for those living on the Wasatch Front. It provides everyone 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.
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.
​
Affordability Options
While Connecting Utah is making a statewide Digital Connectivity Plan to close the digital gap in Utah, there is funding available now to help you access high-speed internet if you qualify.
​
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) 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.
​
To learn more about the ACP and see if you are eligible,
visit acp.utah.gov.
Sign up on our website today to be notified of any future opportunities for household funding programs!
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. Your story matters. We need to hear from you!
Here is how you can share your input.
​
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.
​
Responses and data collected will be kept private and will not be sold or be made available to third parties.
​
No internet access?
Call the Connecting Utah Hotline at 435-264-8880.
​
Join Us
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.
​
​