Broadband listening tour in Gardnerville on Monday

Staff Reports

A listening tour of Nevada to find out how residents feel about their broadband will make its first stop in Douglas County 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Douglas County Community & Senior Center in Gardnerville.

Economic Vitality Manager Lisa Granahan told commissioners on Wednesday that the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology will also host an open house 4-6 p.m. Monday where residents can take a survey.

“They want to have a dialogue about what people’s concerns are,” she said. “They will be asking if they have affordable devices or if they are aware of cybersecurity issues.”

Granahan said most county residents have some access to broadband, but the question is speed.

She said there is a conflict between the state’s and federal maps.

According to a map included on the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology web site, most Carson Valley residents receive broadband through cable, with some receiving broadband through fiber optic with a few spots fed by copper. Most Topaz Ranch Estates residents get their broadband over copper wire while large parts of the Pine Nuts are served only by fixed wireless.

Late last year, the county’s Broadband Action Team announced that less than a quarter of the county’s households are eligible for accordable connectivity.

A Federal Communications Commission program that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.

In May 2021 Douglas County formed a Broadband Action team and began the process of developing a whole community connectivity approach to broadband planning.