Alachua Broadband Initiative

Our Purpose

To provide access to broadband internet for all homes in Alachua County.

We work with 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 Equity 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. These speeds allow for at-home work, education, and entertainment.

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 equity 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 over 25 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 is in negotiations to bring fiber broadband to currently unserved and underserved rural areas that have not had other grants awarded.

BEADs

The BEAD Program provides federal funding for grants to states for broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption activities. In 2023, the State of Florida was allocated more than $1.16 billion through the federal BEAD program to facilitate the expansion of broadband Internet and service access across the state. Throughout the Fall the BEADs Challenge Process will occur to verify all BEAD funding eligible locations. Following the Challenge Process funds will be allocated to bring Broadband Internet to those eligible locations.

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 in negotiations
  • When all awarded areas are completed over 95% of Alachua will have Broadband Internet
• Internet Service Providers
  • Continue to expand Fiber network throughout the Gainesville Area
    • Moving into the county and more rural areas

Digital Equity 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.

Resources

• Office of Broadband - FloridaJobs.org
• Location Summary - Fixed | FCC National Broadband Map

Maps

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.