Survey Shows Desire For Better, More Affordable Internet Service In Franklin County

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Results of a recent countywide survey show Franklin County residents and business owners want improved internet access and services for personal use, work, school and to conduct business.

Design Nine Inc. conducted the poll as part of Franklin and Adams counties’ joint broadband community feasibility study to determine internet service needs in the region and the types of technological solutions necessary to provide acceptable levels of service in the future. By completing this survey, residents and stakeholders had the opportunity to voice their concerns and experiences with internet service to reflect a more accurate, real life picture of broadband needs in the region. Now leaders in each county will decide on next steps based on the findings for their respective counties.

In Franklin County, 68% of respondents indicated an interest in faster, more reliable internet service and 37% are “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with their current internet speed. The survey also showed 34% of respondents have no other options for internet service, and 34% indicated that availability of broadband internet services affects where they choose to live. 

Through a business-specific survey, only 30% of respondents indicated that they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the speed of their current internet service. All respondents noted that internet service will be important to the success of their businesses over the next five years, and 82% need employees to have the ability to work remotely from home. Seventy-one percent indicated that the availability or pricing of existing internet options has an impact on their decisions to relocate or remain in a more urban area where internet service is more readily available.

Respondents of both surveys expressed the need for additional internet service providers in the area, which would let consumers select the provider best suited to their specific needs and budget. Currently, some areas of Franklin County have limited options for service because of geographic location. The addition of providers could also ultimately create a more competitive market and lead to more favorable pricing options for consumers.

“The results of these surveys verify what we had already suspected: our residents and businesses need reliable and affordable high-speed internet in many aspects of their everyday lives,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “High-speed internet is a vital infrastructure component, and without it, Franklin County could face long-term consequences in terms of quality of time and opportunities for economic development.”

“One thing we learned from the survey is that people definitely want us to do something about improving internet access, whether you're at home, at work, or on the road,” said Commissioner John Flannery. “I don’t think that means people want us to go into the business of being an internet service provider, but I do think it means they want us to get Comcast and other providers to the table, put together a plan for building out the networks, and tap into the funding that is now available to make it happen.”

“The COVID pandemic highlighted the need to improve internet access for our residents. That’s why we did this study,” said Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski. “During the pandemic, a lot of people had trouble working from home, doing virtual learning, and getting access to telehealth services because of poor internet access. With the funding that’s available from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the timing has never been better to do something about this problem.”

Federal data often misconstrues the prevalence of broadband services available to Pennsylvanians. A 2021 analysis by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania determined none of the state’s 67 counties are fully served by broadband. Rural areas – including Franklin County – are even more likely to be underserved and experience a greater lack of service. Feedback from this survey could prove valuable when it comes to seeking funding for future broadband projects in Franklin County.

To read the full survey results or for more information on the broadband community feasibility study in Franklin County, visit http://bit.ly/3Ljzeko.

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