2 Feb 2024

New Missouri Broadband Map

by | | 0

The Missouri Public Broadband Availability Interactive Map v1 is now available at https://broadbandmap.mo.gov/  A brief tutorial video is provided below. The interactive map serves as a hub for presenting up-to-date data, including:

  • Unserved/underserved/served locations.*  See service provider, technology, and speed by location.
  • Funded/not funded locations receiving upgrades through already awarded grant funds.See grant fund name and awarded provider by location. The next map deployment will also include a funded area layer showing the boundaries of awarded projects.  
  • Service availability by various geographic boundaries (e.g. legislative district, county, school district). See broadband and digital equity indicator data by selected area.  

*Note- In relation to the BEAD State Challenge Process, this data is a preliminary version as it does not yet reflect Missouri’s proposed pre-challenge modifications (modifications are pending NTIA approval). We will continue to communicate as we have approvals and updates are made.  

The interactive map will also serve as the State Challenge Portal. This additional challenge hub functionality is expected to be released in March and will offer ways for stakeholders to provide feedback.

Provider Registration

Before the State Challenge Portal opens, the Office of Broadband Development is encouraging providers to register in the interactive map. It is essential that ISPs register to not only submit challenges that will guide the distribution of roughly $1.7 billion state allocated BEAD funds, but also respond to challenges against their coverage areas. In the tutorial video below, instructions for registering begin at minute mark 4:36 

14 Jun 2023

Thank you, broadband coverage map challengers! 

by | | 0

This is a great big ‘thank you” to MU Extension staff and faculty in 34 counties who helped 186 people submit challenges to the Federal Communications Commission broadband coverage maps.

The maps will be used to calculate Missouri’s share of $42.45 billion in federal funds to expand access and use in every community. Their accuracy is vital.

The state Office of Broadband Development estimates the additional dollar value from those 186 challenges alone at $810,000, said Alison Copeland, UM System deputy chief engagement officer.

A special shout-out goes to Knox, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Gentry, Johnson, Hickory, Vernon and Ste. Francois counties for organizing challenge events. The UM System Broadband Initiative and state Office of Broadband Development also appreciated that several counties flagged issues with the process and maps, Copeland said. This online tool aims to offer a comprehensive statewide inventory of public computers and Wi-Fi access locations as well as digital resources such as computer classes, one-on-one technical assistance centers and adult/workforce education programs. Please share this information in your communities, too!

19 Jan 2023

Evaluating the impact of broadband access and internet use in a small underserved rural community

by | | 0

This paper was written by Casey Canfield and her collaborators who are part of the UM System Broadband Initiative.

The highlights include:

  • We find the internet intervention was associated with quality-of-life benefits.
  • Change in employment, education and health internet use was unrelated to service quality.
  • Measurement challenges affect evaluations of interventions in underserved communities.
  • Future studies should consider appropriate outcomes, recruitment, and survey timing.
1-s2.0-S0308596123000101-mainDownload
6 Dec 2022

Office of Broadband Encourages Participation in FCC Challenge Process

by | posted in: | 0

Missourians have until January 13 to file challenges to newly released maps of broadband coverage to be considered when determining Missouri’s share of federal broadband funding. The Office of Broadband Development encourages Missourians to make sure their homes, businesses, and communities are correctly represented on the maps to ensure locations are eligible for funding and receive their fair share.

The FCC map will determine how much of more than $42 billion in funding will come to the state through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a component of the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA). In 2023, Missouri will use BEAD funding for its Connecting All Missourians initiative, which aims to provide high-quality internet to every home and business statewide. Read more…

6 Dec 2022

Report on Rural Communities and Digital Device Ownership

by | | 0

Barriers & Opportunities

Research shows that internet access and use increase rural economic and community development. However, rural areas are at a disadvantage when it comes to providing and supporting device ownership.

The purpose of this brief is to raise awareness of the difficulties rural communities face when trying to address the device ownership issue.

Rural-Communities-Digital-Device-OwnershipDownload