PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Earlier this year, the City of Pittsfield was selected to participate in the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program launched by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI).

 

As a part of the digital equity planning effort, the city is seeking to gain insight into any internet disparities within the community and if residents are experiencing widespread problems with their internet connections through an internet speed test.

 

On Wednesday, Nov. 1,  community members are asked to join the Speed Test Day. To participate, visit: https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/speedtest/ on the device you use to connect to the internet.

 

Following completion of the speed test, please send us your results using the form on the city's website. The city will use this information to better understand and identify the challenges residents may experience when connecting to the internet. The feedback received by residents will be included as part of the city's Digital Equity Plan. An internet speed test is a great tool to identify if there is a problem with internet speed. 

 

However, more work must be done if a problem is discovered as many things can affect internet speed. Often the Internet Service Provider (ISP) is not the cause of the problem but can help identify a solution.

 

Poor performance can affect a user's experience on the internet, at times making it impossible to do things like participate in online classrooms or attend a telehealth appointment.