Austin has spoken: residents broadly support the idea of building a fiber network to every home, school and business in the Austin Public School District. The vast majority of households would consider switching to a new provider for television, internet and landline services.

Thanks to the over 300 households that responded to our door-to-door survey in September and October. The 11-question study targeted households that represent the income levels in the community. Forty percent lived in low-income census blocks, 47 percent lived in middle-income census blocks and 13 percent lived in high-income census blocks.

Five key questions highlight community support and project viability.

The survey showed 86 percent would consider a new provider for Internet service if one were available.

The survey showed 92 percent would consider switching if they could get much faster Internet service for same price.

The survey showed 98 percent support the Gig Austin concept if the fiber infrastructure could be built without an increase in local taxes.

All three of these results were consistent across all income levels.

When asked “How do you feel about the possibility of the community building a fiber network to go to every home and business in the Austin school district?” over three quarters of respondents said they support the idea (78 percent). Other respondents were not sure (19 percent) and did not support it (2 percent).

The answer to that question did vary across income levels with 89 percent of low-income census block households, 71 percent of middle-income census block households and 79 percent of high-income census block households supporting the idea.

Finally, the survey showed 40 percent of surveyed households are currently paying a total of $101 to $150 for Internet, television and landline phone services now. This indicates that a new entity could charge subscription rates in the same range which is well within the price structure shown in the business plan to make the operation viable.

“What your survey says very loudly is that the vast majority of people are for fiber and only a very tiny percentage are against it. In fact, that is one of the smallest ‘anti’ percentages I have ever seen,” said Doug Dawson, owner of CCG Consulting, the firm that completed the Ultra Broadband Feasibility Study in July.

To find out more about what is proposed in the Gig Austin project, go to www.gigaustin.org. Full survey results are available to download at the site or the Vision 2020 site at www.vision2020austin.com. If your household did not already participate in the survey, you can do so online at the Gig Austin site. You can also enter your email address into the web site to receive periodic project updates.