Speedtest® by Ookla® is gearing up for a pilot project statewide through August as part of the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative (GBDI), announced Governor Brian Kemp. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Technology Authority are combining forces with a multi-agency team to assess various connectivity options. The multi-agency team includes representatives from the Georgia Department of Education, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, the Georgia Public Library System, University System of Georgia, Georgia State Properties Commission, and Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency.
Though broadband has become an essential tool for businesses and schools, there are still many Georgia residents without access to high speed internet. The broadband speed test will gather responses from participants to learn more about connection and processing times from phone and internet users across the state. Georgians can download the speedtest app on their smartphones, or visit https://www.speedtest.net/ before August 31 to add their results to the study.
“We’re grateful that so many internet service providers and mobile phone carriers have stepped up to meet Georgians’ connectivity needs in this critical time as we’re coping with the continued impact of COVID-19,” stated Governor Kemp. “Still, too many households don’t have reliable internet connections, so the Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative is introducing the Speedtest project to give Georgia’s educational leaders new data to drive decisions for remote learning options for students.”
The GBDI launched in 2018, to promote and deploy broadband services throughout Georgia to unserved areas. The goal was to provide all residents a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds to boost the economy, education, and social opportunities for both citizens and businesses. The speed test will help gauge the group’s progress.
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