First Statewide Broadband Map Available in Kansas

March 1, 2010

The first official draft of the statewide map of current Kansas broadband coverage is set to be posted on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Broadband mapping of Kansas is now in full swing and Connect Kansas is making the latest information available to everyone on its website.

This is the first draft of a full, statewide broadband map and includes:
- More than 70% of Kansas providers
- More than 90% of Kansas households
- More than 95% of Kansas households in rural areas

The newly posted map reflects information that will be used to create a complete Kansas broadband map which is expected to be released around March 31, 2010. The current draft includes all the data previously submitted by providers, as well as updated information that was submitted to Connected Nation after the mapping first draft deadline. The latest map now reflects all broadband provider information submitted on or before Wednesday, February 26, 2010.

The accuracy of this map is critical to the future of broadband infrastructure planning in the Sunflower State.

The purpose of the newly posted map is two-fold:

- Data Verification: Broadband providers should use the map to make sure their current service area is accurately reflected. This is very important to avoid future broadband overbuild and unwanted competition.

- NTIA Applications: Applicants submitting for NTIA grants and loans should use the map to assist in crafting their applications. The second-round application window opened February 16, 2010 and closes March 15, 2010.

Kansas has designated Connected Nation, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3), to work with the provider community to obtain coverage data and create the map. This initiative is called Connect Kansas. As a third-party organization, Connected Nation is able to protect sensitive provider information through nondisclosure agreements while still gathering the information needed to create an accurate broadband map. This map will also be used to help create a federally mandated national map.

For information about contributing data, please click here.