Serving Nebraska's Cities, Counties, and Communities

Mission

Who NROC Assists

NROC members work with cities, counties, businesses, and community members throughout Nebraska. Their support spans community development, economic development, and regional planning, helping local areas address shared needs and pursue long-term growth.

The Nebraska Broadband Speed Test initiative represents a statewide effort to map internet connectivity across every corner of Nebraska. By encouraging residents, businesses, and community members to participate in a quick speed test, the project gathers real-world data that reveals where broadband gaps exist and where service is strong. This information helps local officials, regional councils, and internet providers make informed decisions about infrastructure investments. The goal is simple: to bridge the digital divide between urban centers and rural communities, ensuring that every Nebraskan has access to reliable high-speed internet regardless of where they live.

Reliable broadband access touches nearly every aspect of modern life, from education and healthcare to business and public safety. Students depend on stable connections for online learning and research, while healthcare providers use telehealth to extend their reach into rural areas. Local businesses rely on broadband to compete in today's digital economy, and emergency responders benefit from fast, dependable communication networks. When connectivity improves, communities unlock new opportunities for growth, entrepreneurship, and economic development, making broadband a foundational pillar for Nebraska's long-term vitality and sustainability.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how critical internet access has become for daily life. Students struggled with remote classes, employees faced challenges working from home, and business owners found it difficult to keep operations running without dependable connectivity. These experiences pushed communities to explore their current internet speeds and identify where service falls short. The mapping data gathered through this initiative helps communities understand their specific needs and advocate for improvements, whether that means upgrading existing infrastructure, attracting new providers, or reallocating resources to underserved areas.

Participation from residents is the key to making this initiative successful. Taking a few minutes to run a speed test on any internet-enabled device provides valuable information that helps paint a complete picture of connectivity across the state. When more Nebraskans take part, the resulting data becomes more accurate and more useful for planning purposes. This collaborative effort brings together local officials, regional councils, businesses, and community members working toward a shared goal. Together, they aim to ensure that all Nebraskans can fully participate in the modern digital world, whether for education, healthcare, work, or everyday communication.

Connect

Learn More About NROC's Work

Explore the member districts that make up NROC, meet the board members who guide its work, and see how the statewide speed test is helping map broadband connectivity.