WATERTOWN â With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, issues with broadband on Tug Hill and other rural areas of New York and the country have been elevated.
Areas of concern are households, especially low-income households, with kindergarten through 12 children attending school virtually, households with telehealth needs, and households with people teleworking. Access to quality broadband coverage data is fundamental to identifying and understanding underserved and unserved communities. It is generally agreed that the broadband coverage mapping resources that exist have limitations.
The Tug Hill Commission, along with many partners, has been working to identify solutions to improving broadband throughout the region and beyond. A series of three webinars in May and June will provide the chance for local government leaders, agency partners, and Tug Hill residents to learn more about how investments in broadband infrastructure can be made over the next several years. Individual registration links are provided, and can also be found at tughill.org/upcoming-workshops/.