A survey of rural McLean County residents shows a majority think their high-speed internet service isn't fast or reliable enough.
Less than one-third (32%) of the 1,230 respondents said they were satisfied with their internet service, according to a survey the county government conducted earlier this year.
The county is compiling the data in hopes of securing state and federal funding to expand broadband infrastructure through a collaboration that includes the Illinois-based Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and the Illinois Soybean Association.
Four other Illinois counties — Edgar, Hancock, Ogle and Schuyler — also took part in the survey.
County assistant administrator Anthony Grant called the survey results "eye opening."
“Internet is no longer a 'like to have,' it’s a must-have for everyone within our communities,” Grant said.
Most respondents (85%) said they've had to rely on cellular data for internet service on occasion and that service often is too slow and unreliable. In 40% of those cases, the download and upload capacity fit under the Federal Communications Commission’s definition of unserved.
A vast majority of respondents were describing internet quality for their home, but the survey also included businesses — and farmers in particular.
Anna Ziegler, assistant manager for the McLean County Farm Bureau, said the digital divide has widened over time and became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think COVID amplified the disparity that already existed because more people were working from home, doing school from home and it really revealed that internet service is not adequate in rural areas,” said Ziegler, noting a recent fire at Olympia Middle School and High School that forced the rural western McLean County school district to return to remote learning for a short time.
The survey also shows people rely on the internet for much more than Netflix. Nearly four in five (79%) said they seek information about their health care online and it's also a vital resource for job training and education.
McLean County has established a working group that's talking with more than a dozen internet service providers in the county about how to expand service.
Ziegler said early estimates put the cost at $50,000 per mile to run fiber optic cable. There are wireless options, too.
“If this was easy it would have been done already, so we know this is going to be a challenge and cost is a big factor in that,” she said.
Grant said the county will look at hiring a consultant to conduct a feasibility study later this year. Then, the county will seek funding from the federal infrastructure law and Illinois' competitive broadband grants, perhaps as early as next year.
He said it also may take county money to provide the incentive for the internet providers to go into areas they have largely avoided.
“Certainly it’s going to require financial assistance for some of these organizations and companies because they would already be doing it if it was profitable to run those lines out there,” Grant said.
But Grant added the county expects a big return on investment. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report estimates rural broadband would give an economic boost of $13 million to McLean County.
