The Digital Equity Coalition, a grassroots advocacy group, has been pushing for months for an assessment of Internet connectivity in southern Chester County. Its call has finally sparked action, writes Joan Holliday for the Daily Local News.

Thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Chester County Intermediate Unit has contracted a vendor — Magellen Advisors — to start the assessment in January.

The initial step is a gathering of data to assess the current situation.

The CCIU will connect Magellen Advisors with key stakeholders and work with both vendors and stakeholders to maximize resident response to forthcoming surveys. The CCIU will also conduct stakeholder focus groups, along with individual interviews to evaluate user speeds and areas that are poorly connected.

After analysts from Magellen Advisors gather the information on Internet connectivity, they will move onto a broadband coverage analysis and mapping phase. That exercise will produce a business plan and financial model.

Magellen Advisors will complete the project by providing southern Chester County with an analysis of federal and state broadband funding.

The final step is to consolidate all this research into an operational strategy.

The final report and presentation are expected to be completed by June 2022.

Read more about the Digital Equity Coalition in the Daily Local News.