February 10, 2010
RUTHERFORDTON — As part of a statewide effort to determine the penetration of broadband Internet access in Rutherford & surrounding counties, Foothills Connect will spend the next four weeks conducting an extensive telephone survey.
The survey will be carried out by 20 workers recruited, trained and paid by Foothills Connect with a grant from the e-NC Authority. Surveyors will begin calling Monday, Feb. 15. The survey will continue through March 15 and attempt to gather 9,600 responses. Callers will ask participants about the level of Internet access, if any, that is available in the home, the type of devices used to access the Internet (computers, smart phones, etc.) and what access speed is available to the homeowner.
The survey was authored by Professor Nicholas Didow of the Kenan Business School at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
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Information gathered will be added to the results of similar surveys conducted across the state.
At the same time, other types of surveys and research are being done to provide a detailed picture of broadband access available across North Carolina.
“One of Foothill Connect’s initial goals was to help provide broadband access to all corners of Rutherford County. We believe this study will advance efforts to gain funding for the expansion of broadband,” said Tim Will, executive director.
Foothills Connect played a major role in gaining a $1 million-plus grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation that resulted in all county public schools being connected to a high-speed, fiber optic network. The same network was also extended to all county first responder facilities, fire departments, rescue squads and police stations.
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