 In 2007, the proportion of households with an internet service was below 60% and over 15% still relied on dial-up from their ISP. Nevertheless, Indiana ranked 19th in the 2009 Speed Matters survey with an average download speed of 5.7 mbps, up from 4.3 mbps the previous year.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor maintains a searchable list of internet providers that is available through the state government website. Residents can enter their zip code and run a search to see each internet provider that covers their area. However, the list is restricted to companies providing high speed broadband internet services since those offering dial-up only are excluded. Although wireless internet access is included, service will be limited in remote areas and near coverage boundaries.
Indiana was one of the early runners for a broadband mapping grant, its Office of Technology being awarded $1.3 million by the NTIA in October 2009. The state had already made some progress in mapping the spread of its broadband service as well as deregulating its telecommunications industry, so the grant will enable faster progress.
For many rural communities, the availability of a DSL or fiber optic cable service is limited or non-existent, although local internet provider Omnicity Corp has been providing service to these communities since 2003 and gives access to over 30 rural counties. In August 2009, it announced a $2.5 million investment into infrastructure that will extend wifi coverage. The company purchased assets from AAA Wireless Inc in December 2009 to extend its network. Around the same time, Verizon Wireless, which has invested over $1 billion in Indiana since 2000, extended its coverage in Decatur County.
Situated in the Great Lakes region, Indiana has a humid, continental climate with cool winters and warm, wet summers. Although not part of tornado alley, it is one of the most tornado-prone states in the country.
The state is known for its sporting events, including the Indianapolis 500 motor race, the largest one-day sporting event in the world. It is seen as a business friendly state and its economy is based on manufacturing, with a highly skilled labor force. Indiana includes the largest steel producing area in the US and the biggest coal power plant. The state capital and largest city is Indianapolis. The only other cities with populations over 100,000 are Fort Wayne, Evansville and South Bend.
Cities in Indiana likely to have, or soon to receive, fiber optic cable internet services include Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Gary, Hammond, Bloomington, Muncie and Lafayette. Locations in IN with highest population counts will be targeted first by providers, though relatively high speeds can be achieved with dial-up or DSL through companies such as Netzero and Charter Communications Cable.
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Coverage Unlikely
