Benchmark Data

Mobile Broadband in Nebraska

Nebraska Public Service Commission releases report on mobile broadband coverage in Nebraska. Drive tests were used to capture the mobile broadband speed and connectivity by using a Mobile Pulse Application. For this report, the types of technology were grouped into broader categories for analysis: 2G, 3G, and LTE. Viaero Wireless, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, US Cellular and Sprint were tested. Findings include:

• Of the five carriers tested, AT&T and Sprint had download speeds that were significantly faster in urban areas. U.S. Cellular download speeds were nearly identical between rural and urban areas, while Verizon and Viaero download speeds were faster in rural areas than in urban areas.
• Upload speeds were faster in urban areas for 4 of the 5 carriers (Viaero was the exception). The differences between rural and urban tests for all 4 of those carriers was less than 1 Mbps, and the rural/urban upload speed difference for Viaero was only 0.2 Mbps.

This report contains information that could be very helpful for consumers who are seeking provider information. The full report with graphical images of carrier coverage is available at the Nebraska Public Service Commission site.

Read the Report

Broadband Business Survey

Conducted in Fall 2013, key findings include:

• Nebraska businesses are creating jobs and increasing revenues through the use of broadband applications.
• Nebraska businesses on average are utilizing 13 Internet applications and processes.
• Mobile devices and access are becoming increasingly important to Nebraskans.
• Broadband utilization varies by employment size, region and community size and industry.

Read Summary Report   Read Full Report

Nebraska Household Survey Shows Gains in Internet Usage

• 86% of Nebraska Households have Internet access at home. This has increased over the past four years, from 81 percent in 2010.
• 82% of Nebraska households currently have broadband Internet service. In 2010, 76% percent of Nebraska households had broadband service.
• Common Internet activities for households with Internet access include: sending or receiving e-mail, doing research or searching for information, getting news/weather information, looking for health information, using a social networking site, and online banking or bill pay.

Read the Report  Survey Instrument

Older Nebraskans' Technology Use

The Nebraska Broadband Household Survey shows clear usage patterns among older Internet users. These patterns are positive compared both to past and national usage.

Read the Report

Technology Use in Agriculture

Agricultural businesses report lower levels of satisfaction with their Internet speed compared to all Nebraska businesses.

Read the Report

Government and Economic Developer Surveys

The Nebraska Broadband Initiative has connected with organizations and associations and conducted a series of Broadband Surveys of members across Nebraska.

These Broadband Surveys are designed to:

• Provide insight on how membership uses technology
• Identify barriers in adopting broadband
• Identify education opportunities to better utilize high speed Internet technology
• Establish benchmarks

The survey results for each organization include a text summary and presentation. The Nebraska Broadband Initiative and these Nebraska groups invite you to share their results.

Nebraska Economic Developers Association — Read More

Nebraska Association of County Officials — Read More

Nebraska League of Municipalities — Read More