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Hidalgo County leaders are trying to gauge the accessibility and reliability of high-speed internet access in the region and are asking for the public’s help.
County leaders hope residents will fill out a brief, six-page survey about their experiences with their internet connectivity. It’s all part of an effort to secure federal funding for future investments in broadband infrastructure.
“At the height of the pandemic, we made great strides in providing Internet access to as many underserved parts of Hidalgo County as we could,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said via a news release Thursday.
“This survey is an initial step in securing additional federal dollars to continue that effort,” he further stated.
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will help officials paint a better picture of coverage strengths and gaps.
Residents will answer questions about how they use their internet service — whether for remote work, entertainment, school, or even accessing healthcare through telehealth.
The survey also asks residents to list which service provider they use to connect, to provide an estimate of their monthly bill, and how many people connect per household.
Residents are further asked to fill out the survey for each location where they access or pay for internet service.
At the height of the pandemic, we made great strides in providing Internet access to as many underserved parts of Hidalgo County as we could. This survey is an initial step in securing additional federal dollars to continue that effort.
The survey also asks residents to rate the quality of their internet service — including the availability of options for service providers, costs to subscribe, speed and reliability — on a scale from “very poor” to “excellent” or “not applicable.”
Finally, the survey provides residents with a link to run a speed test, which assesses how quickly the connection can download and upload data. Residents are then asked to input the results on the last page of questions.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county has leveraged both state and federal dollars into projects aimed at bettering broadband infrastructure.
In a 2022 report for how the county planned to implement American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief funds, the county reported that some 30% of the population lacked access to broadband internet.
The survey results will ultimately be included in a report that will help guide broadband infrastructure expansion efforts where the need exists.
To complete the survey, click here.
