Welcome to Yankee Springs Township

The Barry County Broadband Initiative was formed in November of 2011 to assess and improve the access and use of broadband (highspeed internet) across Barry County for the benefit of local businesses and residents. It is comprised of interested community leaders, business representatives, public institutions, government agencies, internet service providers and others, with facilitation support provided by Connect Michigan.

The February 15 meeting was held to provide a checkpoint on the team's efforts to gather the necessary data and information to complete an "assessment" of the current broadband situation in Barry County. Using Connect Michigan's assessment model, we're developing a current profile of Barry County's access to broadband service, what factors are affecting our adoption of broadband, and how broadband is currently being used to improve services and quality of life in the county. Once this assessment is complete, areas of concern will be identified, recommendations will be provided (via Connect Michigan) and specific action plans will be developed to help improve Barry County's broadband profile for the benefit of both residents and businesses.

The "access" portion of the asessment profile is essentially complete, with the following key statistics found:

1) 84.1% of Barry County household currently have access to broadband service of at least 3MBPS (which is deemed necessary for effective internet use today); this compares to the statewide average of 93.5%.

2) 62% of households have access to at least 10MBSP (higher speed) broadband service, compared to the statewide average of 88.9%.

3) 54.4% of households have access to more that one service provider in Barry County, compared to the statewide average of 86.5%

4) For "middle mile" (backbone) access, Barry County has a least two points-of-presence (POPs) and at least 50Mbps service, which compares favorabley to the statewide average.

5) 99.9% of county households have access to mobile (cellular) service.

FreedomNet Solutions began offering wireless broadband internet service in Western Michigan in 2002. Their network is continuing to expand across Michigan with Orangeville being the most recent addtion. FeedomNet Solutions is a solution-based internet service provider that offers residential internet service as well as a full range of Business Solutions and IT services. If you are interested in wireless broadband internet and would like to connect with FreedomNet to determine if they offer service in your area, please call their sales department at 866.669.4737 or visit www.freedomnet.com and fill out the "contact us" form.

The Broadband Expansion Team will continue to report the service expansion of other internet service providers as we are informed so that Barry County residents and small businesses can continually assess their high speed internet options to best meet their needs.

The Broadband ExpansionTeam continues to work with ConnectMI in the effort to increase high-speed internet access across rural areas on Michigan. To learn more about ConnectMI or to go online to report your internet access to assist in our efforts go to www.connectmi.org. For more information about Barry's County's local efforts in increase broadband access, contact Valerie Byrenes at valerie@mibarry.com.

Yankee Springs Township

Current Information