2017 Franklin County Broadband Survey

Broadband is a fast, reliable connection to the internet that has the potential to increase opportunities for individuals and businesses. In addition to allowing people to access enormous amounts of useful information, broadband could: improve public safety, allow people to stay in their homes at later ages with support from telemedicine, help businesses reach customers who are far from the business location, enable people to study from their homes, and provide necessary occupational and personal connections for those who would love to stay in (or return to) Maine.

This survey is the first step in evaluating our current broadband status. We appreciate your time in completing the survey. If you have questions, or would prefer a paper copy, please contact Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG) at (207) 783-9186.

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* 1. Do you have internet service in your Home?

Yes

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* 2. Do you have internet service at your Business?

Yes

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* 3. If you do not have internet service at Home, why?

Too expensive

Slow connection in my area

Don't know much about technology

I have internet at work, school, library, etc and don't need it at home

Other

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* 4. If you do not have internet service at your Business, why?

Too expensive

Slow connection in my area

Don't know much about technology

I have internet at home, school, library, etc and don't need it at work

Not available in my area

Other

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* 5. Address of internet access

Home street address , Town, Zip code:

Business street address, Town, Zip code:

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* 6. Who provides your internet connection?

Provider:

Name of Plan (if known):

Type of Plan (if known):

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* 7. General information on your plan. Have you chosen the highest subscription rate?

Yes

If not, why?

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* 8. What is the cost of your plan?

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* 9. Speed Test (optional):

To help us better understand your current capability we would like you to run a speed test, it is quick and easy! We will ask you a few question about the test results in the next few questions.

To check your home or office internet speed. Open your internet browser and type in the link http://www.speedtest.net or search "upload and download speed test" in a search engine. In speedtest.net when the website loads, click on BEGIN TEST in the middle of the screen. This will start an upload and download test to see the rate of speed per megabyte your internet is functioning at. This process should be the same for other links in your search engines. Once the test is done in the middle of the screen there will be the speed that your computer’s internet is uploading and downloading files.

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* 10. Time of Day test was taken?

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* 11. Download speeds?

Mbps

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* 12. Upload speeds?

Mbps

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* 13. What are your needs for internet?

Pleasure

Work/Business

Medical

Marketing or Research

Education

Movement of large files (plans, maps, photos)

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Do you or any member of your household telecommute?

Yes

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* 15. Do you need basic help on learning to use the internet?

Yes

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* 16. Personal Use (I want to learn more about). You can only chose one. Please add additional answers in others box.

Learn to use internet to connect with family.

How to use iPad or tablets.

How to use Facebook.

How to use Skype.

Other (please specify)

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* 17. Business Use (I want to learn more about). You can only chose one. Please add additional answers in others box.

How to use internet to promote my business.

How to use QuickBooks.

How to use Photoshop.

How to use Excel.

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Which of the potential effects of improved broadband access do you believe would benefit your town?

More small business.

More distance learning access.

More Telecommute jobs.

Increase year round residents.

Increase Vacationers.

Fewer young adults leaving area.

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* 19. If you would like to be updated on what is happening with this project, please enter your email address. Thank you for participating!

Email address: