Knox County releases broadband survey results and Technology Action Plan
Knox County, Texas (February 25, 2022) – Knox County is ready to put a Technology Action Plan into place following a broadband engagement survey conducted in partnership with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas).
The community initiative asked Knox County residents, businesses, and community institutions to complete surveys as part of the Connected Community Engagement Program, which empowers local leaders and communities through collaborative, data-driven technology planning. To date, the Connected Engagement Program has helped more than 650 communities across the country build comprehensive Technology Action Plans.
The broadband survey provides a clear picture of the internet landscape across the county. Among other key data points, the survey found the following:
- For households that do not subscribe to home internet service, the top barriers are lack of computer ownership and the cost of internet service.
- About 46% of households and 68.8% of businesses reported they were dissatisfied with their current internet service.
- The top reasons for dissatisfaction were slow speeds, high prices, and unreliable connections.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 (88.5%) households said they would like to have improved or additional options for home internet service.
- 87% of households in Knox County report they subscribe to some form of internet service.
This project was funded by the Priddy Foundation, which supports the welfare, education, health, and growth of residents in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma.
The Technology Action Plan provided to Knox County includes the following recommendations:
Goal 1: Implement strategies that ensure broadband needs are being met in Knox County for residents and local organizations.
Goal 2: Utilize free and reduced-cost broadband services to ensure all residents have equitable access to the internet.
Goal 3: Promote greater digital engagement in Knox County through digital literacy campaigns.
Goal 4: Identify opportunities for economic advancement in Knox County using broadband and related technologies.
"I am really excited to see Knox County put their Technology Action Plan into place," said Sierra Sees, Broadband Solutions Manager for CN Texas. "Having local data that speaks to the unique connectivity needs of the community, such as affordability, will be very important for the county as they seek to improve broadband access, adoption, and use. I know great things are ahead in Knox County.”
To view the full results of the Knox County broadband survey, visit:
http://www.connectednation.org/knox-county-texas.
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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is a local division of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Its mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
About the Priddy Foundation: The mission of the Priddy Foundation is dedicated to the support of programs in human services, education, the arts, and health, which offer significant potential for individual development and community improvement throughout Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma. More information can be found at: https://priddyfdn.org/