Broadband

WHAT IS BROADBAND... The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as a download speed of 25 megabits (Mbps) per second and an upload speed of 3 Mbps.

What Is Broadband? diagram from the Michigan Broadband Roadmap, August 2018.

STATUS OF BROADBAND IN OSCEOLA COUNTY

  • Osceola County has two Gigabit communities.  Casair (now Point Broadband) constructed a 10 Gig fiber network that runs through both the city of Reed City and Village of Hersey.  The 10 Gig fiber network can be viewed from Casair's Fiber Network Map
  • In February 2021 Point Broadband began installing fiber in Osceola County.  
  • Connect Nation Michigan has published a series of maps that show the status of broadband across the State.  While published in 2018 they still do provide a general depiction of the broadband landscape across the County.
                 - Broadband Service Inventory by Platform; 25 Mbps Download, 3 Mbps Upload; Fixed Non-Mobile Service

                 - Maximum Residential Broadband Download Speed; Fixed Non-Mobile Service

                 - Density of Households Unserved by a Broadband Provider by Census Block; Lacking Advertised Speeds of at Least 25 Mbps Download and 3 Mbps Upload
AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET FOR QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS... There are several programs that can assist qualifying households obtain low-cost Internet service.  
 
  • Charter Communications Spectrum Internet Assist is a  low-cost, high-speed broadband Internet service that provides qualifying households with Internet service.  In order to utilize the program an Osceola County resident must live at an address serviceable by Charter in one of the communities Charter serves.  These communities include the City of Evart, Evart Township, Village of Hersey, Osceola Township, City of Reed City, and Richmond Township.  In addition, to qualify a member of the household must be a recipient of one of the following programs; the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), free or reduced cost lunch; the Community Eligibility Provision of the NSLP; or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (age 65 and over only).
  • Access from AT&T offers a low-cost internet service to qualifying households.  To qualify the household must have at least one resident who participates in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and without outstanding debt for AT&T fixed internet service within the last six months or outstanding debt incurred under this program.
  • The Federal Lifeline Program provides $9.25 per month subsidy for the purchase of broadband service.  In order to qualify customers must participate in one of the following programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Tribal Eligibility Programs, or Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension Program.
  • EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that creates social and economic opportunity by connecting everyone to the internet.  Use this website to find low-cost internet and affordable computers.