How Connect Ohio tracks broadband availability inquiries

When consumers do not have broadband service or they are unsure of the providers in their area, they are able to submit a broadband inquiry to Connect Ohio via our website (http://connectohio.org/), e-mail (info@connectohio.org), or phone (866-881-9424). Submitting a broadband inquiry allows Connect Ohio to update any mapping errors in BroadbandStat and provide consumers with provider resources they may not realize exist in their area.

Many people may wonder what happens with all the broadband inquiries that have been gathered in Ohio. So, here’s the scoop.

Step 1: Connect Ohio staff research the address on BroadbandStat, which tracks broadband coverage and providers across the state, and notifies the consumer on providers that claim to provide service to their address.

Step 2: If a provider is listed, but the consumer has verified that coverage is not available, Connect Ohio’s data validation team travel to the location to verify if a wireless signal is present.

Step 3: If a signal is present, the providers in the area are notified that service should be available to the consumer based on the frequency present. If a signal is not present, BroadbandStat is updated and the provider is informed that its map will need to be updated to reflect the lack of service.

If no service is available, Connect Ohio tracks the information in our database and notifies providers that a gap in service exists. The more broadband inquiries received for a particular area, the more enticing it is for providers to plan an expansion project in your area!