Business Broadband Survey Reveals Range of Views

Broadband access for businesses is good, with a few specific issues of concern, according to the St. Johns County Business Broadband Survey report.

According to the online survey, conducted between Nov. 25 and Dec. 7 of last year, nearly half of the 51 respondents said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their internet access in the workplace.

The survey is part of the county’s Local Technology Planning Team process currently underway by the St. Johns County Department of Economic Development to increase understanding of broadband availability in the county and identify unserved businesses. A residential survey was also conducted as part of the process.

Respondents came from a range of businesses, including nearly a quarter in tourism. Other businesses included real estate, government, finance and high tech.

The 14-question survey included queries on the types of devices businesses used to access the internet, the size of the business and how companies access the internet and other broadband-access related topics.

Several respondents offered additional comments with the issue of cell-phone towers high on many lists.

“We need more towers,” said one respondent. “One of the most urgent concerns … is the lack of cell-phone towers,” said another.

Other respondents cited reliability issues as a main concern, with one business owner saying they put off an expansion to a specific area “due to lack of reliable Internet service.”

Another respondent said spotty cell-phone service on Anastasia Island was a leading customer complaint, while a different respondent praised the fiber optic network “when it’s working.”