OSBURN — “Where are we now, and where do we want to be?”

Those were two questions Colleen Rosson posed to stakeholders at a meeting to get broadband connectivity to Shoshone County on Thursday at Shoshone Fire District No. 1.

As Shoshone County grant administrator, Rosson has been working for several years to bring broadband internet to the Silver Valley. She said the change would affect nearly every facet of existing infrastructure as well as stabilizing the patchy or nonexistent internet connections across the county.

The county is hoping to tap funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, a federal program that provides $42 billion nationwide to expand high-speed broadband access. 

But first, some tests are needed. Rosson is looking for about 10 people in Pinehurst, Kellogg, Wardner, Elizabeth Park, Wallace and Mullan to participate in challenge testing from June 3-30. If you have a non-satellite service that is at least 100 megabits upload by 20 megabits download and do not experience those speeds, have tried to get service in the last six months been denied, or can get service, but it will take more than 10 days to hook it up, you are welcome to participate in the challenge testing.

Anchor locations, which should have higher internet stability rates such as hospitals, fire stations and government buildings, can also participate.

Private properties can participate through their internet service provider. Link Up Idaho provides information to expand equitable access to the internet across the state.

About $580 million is up for grabs throughout the state to improve access to the internet in underserved areas.

Fiber is the highest goal BEAD funding hopes to achieve, with wireless as a comparable, but slightly less desirable goal.

“We’re standing here at the edge. We’re getting close,” Rosson said.

Currently, FCC broadband access mapping relies heavily on the bigger internet providers to say where service is provided. 

Internet speed testing shows the actual reality of mapping. 

The Idaho Office of Broadband will be heading up challenge tests to the current official mapping.

Shoshone County secured a USDA grant for $85,000 to use toward asset mapping and educational outreach. The funds will be used to widen the conversation and expand information about how broadband would add to infrastructure in the Silver Valley.

Sites in Link Up Idaho indicate needed community facilities that require stable internet, for example, like a medical site for kidney dialysis.