How often do you and your friends comment about the increasing cost of your internet service if you even have internet service in your neighborhood? Between our hilly rocky terrain, the vast number of trees, and the wide spread of our population, internet providers have been reluctant to invest in Hot Springs Village. But there may be light at the end of the tunnel for better internet in HSV!
There are currently significant federal funds that the state of Arkansas is preparing to hand out to various counties for improving internet (broadband) access. The POA and Governmental Affairs Committee are working closely with local government representatives to ensure Hot Springs Village is in a strong position to have some of that funding invested here!
Why do you and I care?
From a resident perspective, it would mean access to better quality internet-related products at better, more competitive pricing!
What’s the situation?
Various internet service providers have told the government that the Village has strong, broad internet access, disqualifying us from receiving federal funds. We know this isn’t accurate. We know we have neighborhoods with terrible internet access. We have neighborhoods with NO internet access. But we need to prove that the information being provided to the government by various service providers is absolutely incorrect, and we do that with real data.
HSV Residents – Do this to benefit…YOU!
How can you help?
It’s easy! Go online from any devices currently connected to your WiFi and access speedtest.arkansas.gov. When you hit “Start” on the first screen, it will test the speeds of your internet and send that data to a state database.
At the bottom of that screen, you will hit “Continue to the Broadband Survey.”
Take the survey (it only takes a couple of minutes) and then hit “Submit” at the end of the survey. Don’t worry if there are questions that you’re unable to answer.
We need as many people as possible to do the test and take the survey to accurately map internet service in HSV via GIS (Geographic Information System). In addition, the test data and the survey responses are stored at the Arkansas State Broadband Office for guidance in distributing federal funding for broadband improvements.
Is this all way more than you want to know about current internet/broadband activity in HSV? Then here it is in a short version:
If you want access to better quality internet-related products at better, more competitive pricing, spend five minutes doing the speed test and take the survey!
Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association – AUGUST 17, 2023
