Mathews Broadband Advisory Board

created in June of 2019 with the intention of bringing broadband services to a wider audience in Mathews County.

Mathews County
Official Website

Our monthly meetings are open to the public

The Broadband Advisory Board meets monthly in person, with an option to join via Zoom, on the second Tuesday of the month, at 9 am at the Mathews Memorial Library.

Please send email requests no later than the Monday before the meeting date for access to the Mathews Broadband Advisory Board Zoom Meetings to:

Our monthly meetings are open to the public

The Broadband Advisory Board meets monthly in person, with an option to join via Zoom, on the second Tuesday of the month, at 9 am at the Mathews Memorial Library.

Please send email requests no later than the Monday before the meeting date for access to the Mathews Broadband Advisory Board Zoom Meetings to:

Latest News, Information, and Updates ~ Let's Get Connected!

Now that Breezeline and Open Broadband are getting people connected in Mathews County we would like to provide you with additional information to help you along the way. Please use the following links for the latest information.

Mathews County Universal Coverage Project Map

Projects | News | Events

LECAP

Supporting the extension of existing broadband networks to low to moderate-income residents.

Smart Pole Reallocation

Some of the smart poles will be moving depending on the usage in current locations

Helping Tourism

Certain areas such as marinas and campgrounds could benefit while helping subsidize the costs of operation

BEAD

BEAD High-Cost Threshold: NTCA, FBA Offer Advice
Learn More

The Bohannon Tower

Inspected and Approved - the installation will be coming soon and managed by Open Broadband

High-Speed WiFi

For information about signing up contact an Open Broadband sales representative at 980-246-8989

What People are Saying

Expertise and Insightful Guidance:
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"The broadband advisory board has consistently provided invaluable expertise and insightful guidance. Their in-depth understanding of the broadband industry, technological trends, and policy implications has proven instrumental in shaping our community's digital future. Their recommendations have led to well-informed decisions that are benefiting residents and businesses alike."
Collaborative and Responsive:
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"I am thoroughly impressed by the collaborative nature of the broadband advisory board. They actively seek input from diverse professionals and have consistently responded to our concerns. Their efforts to engage with the community and address our specific needs have shown their dedication to ensuring a robust and equitable broadband infrastructure."
Strategic Planning and Long-Term Vision:
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"The broadband advisory board's strategic planning and long-term vision are truly commendable. Their ability to anticipate the evolving needs of our region and align them with technological advancements has laid a strong foundation for digital growth. Their forward-thinking approach is ensuring that our broadband services remain relevant and efficient for years to come."
Data-Driven Decision Making:
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"What sets the broadband advisory board apart is their commitment to data-driven decision making. Their thorough analysis of broadband access, speeds, and gaps has led to well-informed strategies that are grounded in reality. It's evident that their recommendations are based on a comprehensive understanding of the local landscape."
Innovative Solutions and Partnerships:
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"The broadband advisory board's dedication to exploring innovative solutions and fostering partnerships is impressive. They've actively sought collaboration with private sector providers, local governments, and community organizations to maximize resources and minimize duplication of efforts. Their inclusive approach is resulting in creative solutions that might otherwise have been overlooked."
Transparent Communication:
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"One of the standout qualities of the broadband advisory board is their transparent communication. They consistently share updates, progress reports, and outcomes with the public, fostering trust and accountability. Their willingness to engage in open dialogue demonstrates their commitment to working collaboratively for the benefit of all Mathews residents."
Effective Policy Advocacy:
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"The broadband advisory board's advocacy efforts have been incredibly effective in driving positive policy changes. Their well-researched recommendations have influenced local and regional policies that are now facilitating increased broadband access and affordability. Their advocacy is directly translating into real-world improvements for residents."
Community Empowerment:
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"The broadband advisory board's emphasis on community empowerment is praiseworthy. They actively involve local residents in decision-making processes, ensuring that the broadband infrastructure aligns with actual needs and aspirations. Their approach demonstrates a deep understanding of the role broadband plays in enhancing the quality of life for everyone."

Test Your Broadband Speed

Mathews County is aggressively pursuing multiple approaches to extend broadband internet availability to ensure the entire County has access to internet service that is Accessible, Affordable, High-speed, Reliable, and Universal.

How is internet speed measured?

Internet speed is determined by how much data the connection can download (download speeds) or upload (upload speeds) per second.

In both cases, the speed is shown as bits per second (bps). Since an internet connection transfers thousands of bits per second, we use the prefixes k, M, and G to show how many thousands of bits we’re talking about. It is based on the metric system: “k” = 1,000, “M” = 1,000k (1,000,000), and “G” = 1,000M (1,000,000,000).

Think of “broadband” as the national internet speed limit.

Per the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a broadband internet connection should be a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps. This helps us determine a baseline for what is considered fast and slow internet speeds.

Speeds much faster than a standard broadband connection are generally considered “fast” internet. While all speeds below that threshold aren’t necessarily slow, they are too slow to be considered broadband internet.

Remember many things can affect actual internet speeds and performance. Adding connected devices and using the internet for demanding tasks such as streaming in 4K or downloading an HD movie can hinder performance and make even “fast” speeds seem slow.

What is a good internet speed?

A good internet speed is at or above 25 Mbps. These speeds will support most online activity, such as HD streaming, online gaming, web browsing, and downloading music.

What are fast internet upload speeds?

Upload speeds of 10 Mbps or higher are generally considered fast internet speeds for upload because they can easily handle the common activities of the average user.

Speedcheck