To provide more transparency on which homes in Georgia lack high-speed internet access, a new Broadband Availability Map was unveiled this week by Governor Brian P. Kemp. According to the Governor’s office, more than one million Georgians lack reliable, high-speed internet connectivity.
“I am proud of the commitment from broadband providers and their collaboration with the state’s broadband team,” said Kemp. “This innovative map will enable the private sector to better see where Georgians lack access to high-speed internet, improve open-market competition, and help providers explore partnerships to address the connectivity needs of our state.”
Of the nearly 507,000 homes and businesses that lack access, 70 percent are located in rural Georgia. The new map, which took over a year to complete, is based on location-specific data. The “first in the nation” approach was achieved by a collaborative effort between private providers, the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and the Georgia Broadband Office within the Department of Community Affairs. Georgia’s Broadband Availability Map is more accurate than the FCC’s map, which aggregates data based on the Census Block.
“Not only should the new mapping tool help stimulate private investment, but it also enables us to support local communities and track progress toward serving the unserved,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn.
Encouraged by the mapping initiative, providers have announced several projects to improve connectivity, totally nearly $38.2 million. These planned projects are projected to serve over 23,000 locations throughout the state.
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