County internet service survey results to be released soon

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An analysis revealing where rural broadband Internet service is most needed in Bartholomew County is expected to be released within a matter of days.

Created from survey information provided to Dr. Roberto Gallardo, assistant director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development, the analysis should also spell out the need for rural broadband internet, said Bartholomew County commissioner Tony London.

“I think (Gallardo’s recommendations) will contain eye-opening information that will shock a lot of people,” said London, who also serves as chairman of the Bartholomew County Broadband Initiative Committee.

Preliminary details indicates well over 2,000 Bartholomew County residents took the survey from early December until Jan. 4, London said. That is reportedly a much higher number than many comparable-sized Indiana counties.

About 25% of those who took the survey said they have no home internet, while roughly 60% said they are not happy with their service, the commissioner said. He added that the largest complaint was that their internet service is too slow, making eLearning and working from home more difficult or impossible, London said.

For more on this story, see Monday’s Republic.