The Acadiana Planning Commission Showcased by Global Leader in Internet Testing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2022
Acadiana Planning Commission (APC)
Angela Cring
337-205-6499
Acring@planacadiana.org

The Acadiana Planning Commission Showcased by Global Leader in Internet Testing

Lafayette, Louisiana: Acadiana Planning Commission’s (APC) work on the – National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) grant of $30 million announced in March 2022 to bring broadband to portions of Acadiana is being showcased as a case study by Ookla, the global leader in internet testing, data and analysis.

The Acadiana Planning commission was awarded funding as part of the $288 million NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program. These funds were allocated to help close the digital divide in the United States. Out of over 230 applicants only 13 grants were awarded with APC being one of them. Ookla’s Speedtest® played a critical role in APC’s ability to demonstrate the need for improving broadband access in Acadiana.

A 2021 study conducted by the APC using Speedtest® found that inadequate internet infrastructure had crippled small town economies throughout the Acadiana seven parish region. Nearly 29% of businesses and one-third of households were found to be lacking reliable internet with basic speeds. The APC’s use of Ookla® Speedtest data in comparison to FCC data made it possible to show data reported by internet service providers (ISPs) overshoot the reality of speeds seen by users in the Acadiana region. Speedtest®, Ookla’s flagship platform, is the most accurate way to measure internet performance and network diagnostics.

Detailed information about the case study can be found here: https://www.ookla.com/articles/acadiana-broadband-funding-q2-2022

About APC   The APC serves the public sector with the planning and implementation of Community, Economic, and Transportation Development throughout the seven-parish Acadiana region.