ECPDD has contracted with the Mississippi Broadband & Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) to be a resource for our local units of government & residents who are participating in the Challenge Process. The role of ECPDD is essentially to help our local units of governments with the Challenge Process to include communication with homeowners, assistance with running speed tests, ensure the test results are saved for submission, and finally to assist in submitting challenges if needed.
The Challenge Process will require the resident to visit the BEAM website and click on the option to run a speed test on their internet connection. The results will indicate if they are underserved due to inadequate upload or download speeds. If they are underserved, ECPDD is available to assist our local units of government with completing the Challenge Process for those residents.
The municipalities of greatest concern in our area are: Town of Enterprise, City of Forest, Town of Heidelberg, Town of Marion, City of Morton, City of Newton, Village of Pachuta, City of Philadelphia, Town of Sebastopol, Town of Stonewall, & the City of Union.
Damien Franklin, G.I.S. Specialist, will be the point of contact for our local municipalities; (601) 683-2007.
The deadline for the Challenge is Monday, September 2, 2024. If you are not familiar with BEAM, please visit their website at https://www.beam.ms.gov/ to learn more about them and their mission.
From Mississippi Broadband Expansion & Accessibility of Mississippi
To Residents:
Remember you only have until September 2 to submit challenges. Find out if you need to challenge by following the steps below.
1. Check your address on the state broadband map at: www.beam.ms.gov
2. Find your service level
Gray Dot- high-speed internet is already reported to be available. If that is not your actual experience, you should participate in the Challenge Process. Only gray dots can be challenged.
Pink Dot (unserved) or Blue Dot (underserved) - your address will be included in the BEAD funding program.
Green Dot - an internet provider has already received a Federal grant to build service to your location.
3. In summary:
If you are a gray dot and DISAGREE with the level of service represented at your home, you need to challenge your address.
Pink, blue and green dots do not need to challenge.
The BEAM Office can be reached at 601-359-5029 or info@beam.ms.gov for any questions.