Expanding rural connectivity to secure high-speed, high-quality internet access statewide is a policy priority for Nebraska Farm Bureau. Last year, NEFB helped secure $405 million in funding to expand broadband to every acre.
Under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, Nebraska will receive just over $405 million in federal dollars to connect every household and business who does not yet have access to high-speed internet. How these dollars will be spent is determined by the accuracy, or inaccuracy, of the Nebraska Broadband Availability Map.
Nebraska Farm Bureau is asking its members to examine the official map to double-check whether is accurately describes their access to high-speed internet. According to the Nebraska Broadband Office, the best way to ensure that a location is eligible for funding is to check the map and the status of service to a specific home, ranch, or farm.
Follow these steps to ensure the accuracy of the map:
- Go to the map.
- Enter your address in the search bar.
- Zoom in until you see the dot over your location.
- Right click on your dot and verify information.
- If the information is accurate, you’re done.
- If the information is incorrect, contact an Advocate to submit a challenge.
If the information is incorrect, NEFB urges people to contact a local government office, a nonprofit, or an internet service provider because they are the “advocates” that can submit challenges to the accuracy of the map.
Such entities should register with the State Broadband Office as advocates for their communities. Current, registered advocates are: broadband.nebraska.gov/challenge/consumers/find-an-advocate.
The deadline for challenges to the map is April 14.
For more information, visit broadband.nebraska.gov.
