FILE PHOTO – Laptop. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
SALT LAKE CITY — Residents across the state, including northern Utah, are encouraged to test the speed of their Internet connections at home, work, or wherever they connect. The Utah Broadband Center, powered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, has launched a statewide internet speed test campaign for Utahans to report their internet speed.
Data from this Utah internet speed test will be mapped and used to identify areas with low or no high-speed internet access in the state. The information will be used to help the state understand internet availability throughout Utah.
GeoPartners, a geospatial engineering company, is working with the Utah Broadband Center to map the data.
All Utahns are encouraged to go to speedtest.utah.gov to self-report their internet speed. Individuals can also identify areas where service is poor or non-existent, or where internet access is unaffordable as part of this test and survey.
“Access to reliable and affordable Internet connectivity has become increasingly important in our daily lives, and without it, individuals lack access to essential digital resources, such as distance learning, telecommuting and telemedicine,” said Ryan Starks, general manager of Go Utah Business. Services, in a press release. “The pandemic has raised awareness and the need for robust internet service across the state, and we encourage everyone in Utah to take just one minute to participate in the internet speed test.”
People without internet access can call the helpline at 1-435-777-TEST (8378) to report why they don’t have internet access. The Utah Internet Speed Test, available in English and Spanish, is secure and the results are anonymous. Data collected will include location, internet speed, and monthly internet cost.
There is no limit to the number of times individuals can participate; multiple tests performed at different times help provide an accurate data set. The objective of the State is to guarantee everyone the possibility of accessing the Internet and to reduce the digital divide.
