City of Bloomington Encourages Bloomington Residents to Join the Monroe County Broadband Challenge

The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department is pleased to partner with Monroe County Government to promote broadband and digital equity improvements throughout the City of Bloomington and Monroe County. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work together with our friends and colleagues in Monroe County government to address broadband challenges and opportunities like this,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson.

As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Challenge process, Monroe County government is soliciting information from Monroe County residents, including those living in Bloomington, to report on the quality of their broadband service.

Through Sunday, April 14, all Bloomington and Monroe County residents who currently have broadband internet are encouraged to take the Monroe County Broadband Challenge at www.co.monroe.in.us/broadband.

At this site, residents can enter their address and it will indicate the FCC’s preliminary assessment about broadband access at that address. While most addresses in Bloomington have some level of internet access, the broadband service might not be at the speeds expected or may vary in quality from day to day and hour to hour. 

Rick Dietz, Director of Information & Technology Services for the City of Bloomington, noted, “Reporting your broadband speeds at www.co.monroe.in.us/broadband will help Bloomington and Monroe County access our proper share of federal BEAD funding and further enable us to address digital equity gaps in our community.  Your support is much appreciated.”

BACKGROUND

About Digital Equity and the City

Digital Equity is defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) as “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.” 

Bloomington has been recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as a 2021, 2022 and 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer. Learn more about the City of Bloomington’s Digital Equity program at bloomington.in.gov/digital-equity. The City’s Digital Equity Strategic Plan is available at bton.in/-NQkR. 

The City of Bloomington fiber broadband and digital equity initiative includes the Meridiam open access fiber optic project and its digital equity plan. The Meridiam network is under construction through the end of 2025.  For more information, visit https://bloomington.in.gov/fiber.