Community Broadband Internet Survey (closed)

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Consultation has concluded

The City of Bellingham conducted an analysis of internet resources for our residents in early 2024, as part of a process to develop a 5-year comprehensive plan to better assess the community’s needs and obtain additional funding to expand our broadband network.

We surveyed the community about internet access early in 2024. That survey found that 98 percent of Bellingham households subscribe to internet service, with an overall satisfaction rate of 5.7 out of 10. Desired areas for improvement include lower prices and increased internet speed.

A special worksession for members of the City Council and Broadband Advisory Workgroup was held on August 5.

The August 5 presentation is the latest piece of information following up on the work of the Broadband Advisory Workgroup, formed in 2020 to advise the City on policy considerations regarding municipal broadband. Consultants outlined potential costs and benefits of expanding the City’s fiber network.

A summary of the broadband market research study can be found on our website.

More details can be found on our Broadband Infrastructure webpage.

Questions? (360) 778-7700 or askpw@cob.org


The City of Bellingham conducted an analysis of internet resources for our residents in early 2024, as part of a process to develop a 5-year comprehensive plan to better assess the community’s needs and obtain additional funding to expand our broadband network.

We surveyed the community about internet access early in 2024. That survey found that 98 percent of Bellingham households subscribe to internet service, with an overall satisfaction rate of 5.7 out of 10. Desired areas for improvement include lower prices and increased internet speed.

A special worksession for members of the City Council and Broadband Advisory Workgroup was held on August 5.

The August 5 presentation is the latest piece of information following up on the work of the Broadband Advisory Workgroup, formed in 2020 to advise the City on policy considerations regarding municipal broadband. Consultants outlined potential costs and benefits of expanding the City’s fiber network.

A summary of the broadband market research study can be found on our website.

More details can be found on our Broadband Infrastructure webpage.

Questions? (360) 778-7700 or askpw@cob.org


Consultation has concluded

Reach out if you have any questions about this project! 

  • Share When Birchwood? I would love to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity on Facebook Share When Birchwood? I would love to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity on Twitter Share When Birchwood? I would love to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity on Linkedin Email When Birchwood? I would love to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity link

    When Birchwood? I would love to get rid of Comcast/Xfinity

    CasualObserver asked 9 months ago

    A list of other providers can be found here: Find Internet Providers in Your Area: Availability by Address - BroadbandNow 

  • Share Hi, the survey asks for Jitter as one of the results on the Speedtest.net test, but (at least on Chrome on a Mac) that metric isn't provided. on Facebook Share Hi, the survey asks for Jitter as one of the results on the Speedtest.net test, but (at least on Chrome on a Mac) that metric isn't provided. on Twitter Share Hi, the survey asks for Jitter as one of the results on the Speedtest.net test, but (at least on Chrome on a Mac) that metric isn't provided. on Linkedin Email Hi, the survey asks for Jitter as one of the results on the Speedtest.net test, but (at least on Chrome on a Mac) that metric isn't provided. link

    Hi, the survey asks for Jitter as one of the results on the Speedtest.net test, but (at least on Chrome on a Mac) that metric isn't provided.

    --- asked 10 months ago

    You should be able to skip that question - I will report this our consultant. Thank you.

  • Share I was unable to complete the survey because of the speed test -- my results showed four different numbers for "Ping" and nothing at all labeled "Jitter." on Facebook Share I was unable to complete the survey because of the speed test -- my results showed four different numbers for "Ping" and nothing at all labeled "Jitter." on Twitter Share I was unable to complete the survey because of the speed test -- my results showed four different numbers for "Ping" and nothing at all labeled "Jitter." on Linkedin Email I was unable to complete the survey because of the speed test -- my results showed four different numbers for "Ping" and nothing at all labeled "Jitter." link

    I was unable to complete the survey because of the speed test -- my results showed four different numbers for "Ping" and nothing at all labeled "Jitter."

    Becketbluegreen asked 10 months ago

    You should be able to skip that question - I will report this our consultant. Thank you.

  • Share What good is trying to take the survey when I get the message "no internet"? This happens frequently with Comcast. on Facebook Share What good is trying to take the survey when I get the message "no internet"? This happens frequently with Comcast. on Twitter Share What good is trying to take the survey when I get the message "no internet"? This happens frequently with Comcast. on Linkedin Email What good is trying to take the survey when I get the message "no internet"? This happens frequently with Comcast. link

    What good is trying to take the survey when I get the message "no internet"? This happens frequently with Comcast.

    JES asked 10 months ago

    I will log this response as part of the survey -- this is good for us to know. You should also report this issue to Comcast. 

  • Share Hi - Is the survey only intended for city residents? I live just outside the city limits at Lake Padden Estates. Thanks on Facebook Share Hi - Is the survey only intended for city residents? I live just outside the city limits at Lake Padden Estates. Thanks on Twitter Share Hi - Is the survey only intended for city residents? I live just outside the city limits at Lake Padden Estates. Thanks on Linkedin Email Hi - Is the survey only intended for city residents? I live just outside the city limits at Lake Padden Estates. Thanks link

    Hi - Is the survey only intended for city residents? I live just outside the city limits at Lake Padden Estates. Thanks

    sbottle asked 10 months ago

    Yes, the survey is only intended for city residents to reflect the potential service area for broadband investment under consideration.

  • Share The speed test was to a specific provider in San Jose CA (at least for me). That is almost pointless test, as it tested more than just my ISP connection. I don't think the City of Bellingham is qualified to run an internet service. Why not focus on what the city charter includes, and leave the other stuff for private vendors who will provide cheaper and better service? on Facebook Share The speed test was to a specific provider in San Jose CA (at least for me). That is almost pointless test, as it tested more than just my ISP connection. I don't think the City of Bellingham is qualified to run an internet service. Why not focus on what the city charter includes, and leave the other stuff for private vendors who will provide cheaper and better service? on Twitter Share The speed test was to a specific provider in San Jose CA (at least for me). That is almost pointless test, as it tested more than just my ISP connection. I don't think the City of Bellingham is qualified to run an internet service. Why not focus on what the city charter includes, and leave the other stuff for private vendors who will provide cheaper and better service? on Linkedin Email The speed test was to a specific provider in San Jose CA (at least for me). That is almost pointless test, as it tested more than just my ISP connection. I don't think the City of Bellingham is qualified to run an internet service. Why not focus on what the city charter includes, and leave the other stuff for private vendors who will provide cheaper and better service? link

    The speed test was to a specific provider in San Jose CA (at least for me). That is almost pointless test, as it tested more than just my ISP connection. I don't think the City of Bellingham is qualified to run an internet service. Why not focus on what the city charter includes, and leave the other stuff for private vendors who will provide cheaper and better service?

    NotProvided asked 10 months ago

    Thank you for the feedback! We will have the survey programmer change this to www.speedtest.net to use a server that is more proximate to Bellingham.

  • Share I just took the broadband survey and thought I’d point out one oversight. I was asked to do a Speedtest and then say whether it was less than the advertised speed. Because I have 1Gbps internet and I was on wifi on my phone it was less because of local hardware bottlenecks (wifi from a hub a couple rooms away). The wired speed is ~950 down and 950 up. Anyways, my situation skews the question results because it makes it sound like my provider is not providing the advertised speed, when actually it’s because of a bottleneck in my test environment. I think one of the questions should have been whether the survey was being taken while on wifi or wired Ethernet. on Facebook Share I just took the broadband survey and thought I’d point out one oversight. I was asked to do a Speedtest and then say whether it was less than the advertised speed. Because I have 1Gbps internet and I was on wifi on my phone it was less because of local hardware bottlenecks (wifi from a hub a couple rooms away). The wired speed is ~950 down and 950 up. Anyways, my situation skews the question results because it makes it sound like my provider is not providing the advertised speed, when actually it’s because of a bottleneck in my test environment. I think one of the questions should have been whether the survey was being taken while on wifi or wired Ethernet. on Twitter Share I just took the broadband survey and thought I’d point out one oversight. I was asked to do a Speedtest and then say whether it was less than the advertised speed. Because I have 1Gbps internet and I was on wifi on my phone it was less because of local hardware bottlenecks (wifi from a hub a couple rooms away). The wired speed is ~950 down and 950 up. Anyways, my situation skews the question results because it makes it sound like my provider is not providing the advertised speed, when actually it’s because of a bottleneck in my test environment. I think one of the questions should have been whether the survey was being taken while on wifi or wired Ethernet. on Linkedin Email I just took the broadband survey and thought I’d point out one oversight. I was asked to do a Speedtest and then say whether it was less than the advertised speed. Because I have 1Gbps internet and I was on wifi on my phone it was less because of local hardware bottlenecks (wifi from a hub a couple rooms away). The wired speed is ~950 down and 950 up. Anyways, my situation skews the question results because it makes it sound like my provider is not providing the advertised speed, when actually it’s because of a bottleneck in my test environment. I think one of the questions should have been whether the survey was being taken while on wifi or wired Ethernet. link

    I just took the broadband survey and thought I’d point out one oversight. I was asked to do a Speedtest and then say whether it was less than the advertised speed. Because I have 1Gbps internet and I was on wifi on my phone it was less because of local hardware bottlenecks (wifi from a hub a couple rooms away). The wired speed is ~950 down and 950 up. Anyways, my situation skews the question results because it makes it sound like my provider is not providing the advertised speed, when actually it’s because of a bottleneck in my test environment. I think one of the questions should have been whether the survey was being taken while on wifi or wired Ethernet.

    JohnM asked 10 months ago

    We allow each survey participant to self-report their tested speed result, so if you feel that the advertised speed is being delivered, in your home, you can answer this question accordingly. We would note that some 802.11 WiFi standards (e.g. 802.11ac and newer) do accommodate speeds of 1Gbps or greater and have been in use since 2014. Thanks for the question!