Internet concerns? Connect with a meeting Wednesday night in Bethlehem

• A meeting to hear Lehigh Valley residents' concerns about broadband internet access will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Fowler Center at Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem
• Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is developing plans to minimize the digital divide, supplying broadband service to unserved and underserved areas
• A majority of residents in Northampton and Lehigh counties are underserved by broadband access, a 2022 study revealed

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For many people in the Lehigh Valley, the drill is repeated each day without worry.

You pour a mug of coffee each morning, sit before your desktop or laptop computer and connect to the internet.

For countless others, access to an internet connection — whether it be weak, erratic or non-existent — is a pressing issue that may affect daily life from employment to health to education.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority wants to hear from citizens about their internet experiences — good and bad.

A community meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday in Northampton County Community College’s Fowler Center, Room 605, 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem.

The development authority is formulating plans to minimize the digital divide, supplying broadband service to unserved and underserved areas, and supporting digital skills enhancement.

Pennsylvania is anticipated to get $1.2 billion in federal funding for broadband expansion, adoption and literacy in the next year.

As the state develops its plans, the development authority’s input from residents, businesses and communities is critical to ensuring its needs are clear as it works to expand access to reliable, affordable high-speed broadband.

According to an analysis released by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission in August 2022, a majority of residents in all communities in Northampton and Lehigh counties are underserved by broadband access.

The study noted that those communities have download speeds below 101 megabits per second and upload speeds of less than 21 megabits per second.

Minimum download speeds of 5 to 25 megabits per second are required for students and working from home, according to the Federal Communications Committee.

Ranking internet access

A February report from BroadbandNow Research, a research firm that conducts comparisons on internet companies using data from the FCC and internet providers, compiled the broadband data for all 50 states.

The report ranked Pennsylvania 17th for best broadband internet access. Maryland as the best overall state, followed by New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Washington.

The rankings considered overall access to broadband, access to low-cost broadband, download and upload speeds, and access to fiber-optic service.

At Wednesday’s meeting, a boxed meal will be provided for all visitors. Coloring books and crayons will be available for children.

Meeting organizers are asking those planning to attend to register at https://dced.pa.gov/internet-for-all-community-event-registration-northampton/ to help with food ordering.

The term broadband generally refers to relatively high-speed internet access. It includes several high-speed transmission technologies such as cable modems, fiber, satellite and wireless.

Wireless broadband speeds are defined by the FCC to be at least 25 megabits per second.

The PBDA is preparing two statewide plans — a five-year action plan for universal broadband service and a digital equity plan. Both plans are funded through planning grants from the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administration.

They’re being developed in collaboration to establish a comprehensive, successful and sustainable path to connect all Pennsylvanians to digital opportunities.