Alachua Broadband Initiative

Our Purpose

To provide access to broadband internet for all homes in Alachua County. This goal is on track to be completed through a wide range of grants and private investment.

We work with the FloridaCommerce Office of Broadband, other government agencies, community organizations, and private businesses to increase the availability and effectiveness of broadband internet throughout the county, specifically in rural communities. Through these partnerships, the Broadband Initiative encourages investment in broadband and Digital Literacy throughout the County.

Broadband internet access is an integral part of our modern world. Yet access remains a barrier for many neighborhoods and groups. Reliable high-speed internet assists residents in accessing job opportunities, education, health services, and social connection.

The volume of federal, state, and county funding that has been awarded and is anticipated will ensure coordinated efforts across the community to increase broadband access and digital literacy.​

What is Broadband Internet?

Broadband Internet includes fiber, cable, and licensed fixed wireless that has reliable speeds of at least 100 mb/s download and 20 mb/s upload. Additionally, Near Orbit Satellite Internet (Example; Starlink) has been added to this definition for the BEAD Grant project. These speeds allow for at-home work, education, and entertainment. Underserved Locations are defined as those receiving 25 Mb/s or over, but less than 100 Mb/s. While Unserved are locations receiving less than 25 Mb/s Internet.

Road to Broadband

Alachua County Local Technology Planning Team (LTPT)

This is a team made up of experts and leaders from Alachua County, local municipalities within the county, internet service providers, educational organizations, businesses, educational organizations, and non-profits. This team has been working to ensure that all areas of need are identified, digital literacy efforts are supported, and funds are allocated toward broadband.

Awarded Broadband Grants in Alachua County

Multiple Broadband and Capital Project fund grants have already been awarded in Alachua County. This totals 62 million in Broadband funding. A large portion of Unserved and Underserved within Alachua County will become served within the next few years due to these awards.

Alachua County awarded the $12.55 Million Dollar Broadband Deployment Assistance Grant to Kinetic to bring underground fiber to over 4,500 rural households.

BEAD

The BEAD Program provides federal funding for grants to states for broadband planning, deployment, mapping, literacy, and adoption activities. For Alachua County, BEAD grants represent $5.7 million of Broadband Infrastructure investment. These grants help ensure that over 99 Percent of Residences will have Broadband Internet.

Resources and Maps of Future Broadband Infrastructure

• Map of locations being served by Kinetic Fiber through the Alachua County Broadband Assistance Grant: Alachua County Broadband Assistance Grant Locations
  • This project will bring over 4,500 households 1 gig ​​affordable underground fiber internet. Areas were chosen using citizen surveys, FCC Broadband data, and previously awarded grant locations.
• FloridaCommerce Office of Broadband Webpage: FloridaCommerce Office of Broadband
  • Contains detailed information on a range of programs, projects, and topics relating to broadband internet. They monitor all state and federal grants.
  • The Office of Broadband may be contacted by email: broadband@commerce.fl.gov
• National FCC Broadband Map showing services available at any location: Home | FCC National Broadband Map
  • Instructions: On the main page inserting an address will take you to the "Location Summary" map to see services available at that address. Additionally of interest is the "Provider Detail" map found on the top ribbon. Here you can find where each provider is available.​
• FloridaCommerce State Broadband Award Tracker(Map): Florida Office of Broadband State Award Tracker
• FloridaCommerce BEAD Provisional Award Tracker(Map): BEAD Provisional Awards Tracker
• ​ *See map at the bottom of this page for a general overview of grant awards.

Project Updates

Project updates will appear here as they become available in the future.

• Broadband Survey was completed in Spring 2024
  • This survey helps us understand and identify unserved and underserved areas for broadband access.
  • The data from this st​udy is being used to determine areas of need for county and state level projects.
• Broadband funding update
  • Federal, State, and County funding are currently being allocated to areas of need.
  • County Broadband funding awarded to Kinetic for fiber internet in rural areas.
  • When all awarded areas are completed over 99​% of Alachua will have Broadband Internet
• Broadband Internet Build out
  • Large areas of State Broadband Grants have been completed
  • Over 80% of the County Broadband Assistance Grant has been completed
  • ​BEAD Grant areas are provisionally awarded

Digital Literacy and Education

Many Internet Service Providers in our area offer open and free Digital Education to the public.

Windstream Kinetic

Digital Literacy Program Modules: Windstream offers Computer Skills courses that cover essential computer skills, office skills, and daily technology skills.

AT&T

AT&T - DigitalLearn: AT&T has a range of digital courses in Digital Learn including online Safety

The Achievery

Th​e Achievery: is an online learning platform to provide K-12 Students with engaging and entertaining videos that have educational activities including digital literacy.

Cox

Cox Digital Academy | Digital Literacy Training: includes a wide range of digital education for kids and adults.

Service Availability and Challenge

The FCC National Broadband Map includes a location summary of available internet service at each location and by area. Click the link below to view the map

Location Summary - Fixed | FCC National Broadband Map

Instructions to search:​

Use the provided link above to search for your residential or commercial location. Enter your address into the search box and the map will zoom to the location. Point data appears when the map is zoomed in. Each Broadband Service Location has broadband availability, technology, and speed of service.

Challenge incorrect data:

If you know that the listed Availability is incorrect, please use the “Availability Challenge” button on the top right of the Broadband Availability table. Completely fill in the form with evidence. This will assist in broadband expansion.

The current filters from the link are for service All Wired and Licensed Fixed Wireless at or above 100/20 Mbps. This is the current definition of Broadband Internet.

​Alachua County Broadband Projects Overview Map

To see awarded grants for Alachua County please view the map below.

​​Instructions: You can zoom in to areas to see awarded grant areas. Use the search feature on the top right to zoom to an address. Enter the address in the box and click the option in the drop down. Address points only appear once you zoom in. Information is available if you click on the Grant polygons or address points. Click on the arrows on the bottom to see information on different layers.