If you live in Southern Illinois you should complete this survey

The Partnership for a Connected Illinois has just launched a survey on broadband use.  This is a really important tool which will be used to determine the future build of broadband throughout the state.

In addition to residences and businesses, the survey will also get in touch with anchor institutions like hospitals, public safety and schools along with community organizations.  The information gathered from the survey will be used to develop broadband plans in several categories.  Those classes are agriculture, economic development, education, energy & the environment, government performance, health care and public safety.

So, if you are in a rural area with little or no broadband connectivity or know someone who is, have them go to the High Speed Internet Usage Study and take the survey.  You will want to make sure your usage is counted.  Look at this as voting for your broadband system.  Expect to spend 20 minutes completing the survey.

There are two different surveys: one for households and another for organizations.  If you are sharing a computer, there are links for that too which will make sure no personal information remains on the joint system.

The Lieutenant Governor Shelia Simon also wants to make sure the rural areas of Illinois, particularly Southern Illinois, are represented.  She asks everyone in the rural areas to take the survey: “Rural Illinoisans need affordable, high-speed Internet access to land new employers, expand educational opportunities and improve health care. I encourage my neighbors in Southern Illinois to participate in this research project to ensure that we are a part of the state’s broadband strategy and can compete in the 21st century economy.”

So you heard it.  Go take the survey.