PHOTO PROVIDED Shown in this image is the FCC's Broadband map reported coverage around the Willowbank Building. The green dots on the map represent areas where residential coverage should be available, whereas the gray dots are "not a mass market location."

BELLEFONTE — At this week’s Centre County Board of Commissioners meeting the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband map was once again a highlight.

Elizabeth “Liz” Lose, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, and Peter Butler, Community Planner, were in attendance to give feedback on what they’d seen.

“We did such an amazing job that we sat back and looked at the experience we captured and said we have to communicate this upwards. With the FCC and the NTIA, they’re getting a very technical letter. That’s a demonstration that we’ve gone in and out through this website and done our due diligence to our congressional (members) and senators. They are already making accolades. They’re reaching out to the FCC,” said Lose.

Around a year ago the county did its own survey, but unfortunately, that information cannot be turned over to the FCC due to technical issues regarding the way the data needs to be uploaded.

“Excel can only handle a spreadsheet that is one million five hundred thousand cells across, roughly, and the Federal upload document requires something in the range of five million cells,” explained Higgins.

“CTC gave our residents kudos. We had one of the most active levels of participation — that goes beyond the survey. Peter and I had a visitor on Friday, a gentleman from outside of Howard, he came in specifically because he does not have internet. He wanted to make sure that he was on the map for the FCC challenge. That speaks volumes to the level of engagement that our residents have,” said Lose.

The commissioners highly encouraged residents of Centre County to participate in the individual challenge for the FCC’s broadband map. The deadline for participation is set for Friday, Jan. 13, at midnight. Right now, the commissioners are hopeful for the deadline to get pushed.

“Whether or not they will extend the deadline or open it up again, we don’t know… We just want to communicate this up so that they know what our position is,” said Lose.

“We apologize for the time deadlines — that we’re having to have you take 5-10 minutes out of a very busy time to double check to see what sort of internet the major telecom carriers think you have at your house when you actually don’t,” said Commissioner Higgins.

In a press release, the Commissioners noted that they’ve been diligently reaching out to agencies as well as state and federal legislators to petition a deadline extension so every resident who chooses to participate in the map challenge has an opportunity to do so.

They stressed, however, that time is of the essence and participation in the individual challenge process is key to ensuring every household is accurately captured and reported based on broadband internet availability and location.

Respondents can complete the challenge at https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home. The challenge survey only takes a few minutes and is vastly important. The importance lies in the fact that the National Broadband Map will determine Centre County’s federal broadband funding in future years. Without the input of citizens, realizing broadband to local communities most in-need will be delayed.

The mapping website will first display a default setting. In most, if not all searches, the default setting will display your location as already being adequately served. To ensure that residents respond with the highest accuracy, they should click on the settings selection filter. It is in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and looks like a gear.

The commissioners request that you choose a minimum internet speed of at least 25/3 Mbps or greater and all wired and licensed fixed wireless technology options to filter your results before making an availability challenge.

An instructional video and step-by-step guide are available to respondents through Centre County Government’s website under the “News and Announcements” section at https://www.centrecountypa.gov. Respondents with general questions or in need of assistance with the FCC’s National Broadband Challenge can direct them to broadband@centrecountypa.gov.