State and Federal Broadband Programs

Broadband Availability

The State of Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) has an interactive map that allows you to check availability of broadband services by address:

Test Your Internet Speed

Residents and business interested in knowing their download and upload speeds can run a speed test:

Broadband Line Extension Connection Program

OBD created the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program with the purpose of providing grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations. An unserved location is a location that does not have a wired broadband service of at least 25Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Wright County residents and businesses are encouraged to report that they are unserved by submitting an application:

For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

Every six months, OBD will send the list of addresses to each broadband provider offering service in Minnesota. Providers then have ten days to notify OBD that they can provide service at any of the addresses on the list. OBD will then contact those people to let them know the name of the broadband provider that can offer them service and any discounted pricing plans available. For more information, please see the Line Extension Connection Fact Sheet.

Broadband Fabric Challenge

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has created a new map showing where high-speed service is – and is not – available across the country. An accurate map will help identify the communities in need to funding for high-speed internet projects. Residents are encouraged to dispute, or challenge, inaccurate information show using tools built into the map. There are three types of challenges that can be submitted:

1. Location Challenges:  

  • Add a missing location
  • Correct the address or other details of your location
  • Correct the geographic placement of your home or small business

2. Service Availability Challenges:

  • Correct services not offered or reported speeds that are not available for purchase.
  • Report that a provider denied a request for service or demanded connection charges that exceed its standard installation charge.
  • Report that a provider failed to schedule an installation within 10 business days of a request for service or failed to perform the installation.

3. Mobile Availability Challenges:

  • Test your speed, using the FCC Speed Test App. To participate, download the app onto your mobile device.

For location and service availability challenges, please visit the FCC National Broadband Map and enter in your address. For additional information on how to submit a challenge, visit Broadband Data Collection Consumer Information. 

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. For more information on the program visit  https://www.fcc.gov/acp.