Maps

The Data and GIS Team’s primary responsibility is mapping the landscape of broadband connectivity in the State of Illinois. We collect geographic coverage and other information about broadband providers in Illinois, as well as oversee and administer analysis to understand the current state of broadband connectivity. If you notice a provider is missing from our list, please email us at gis@broadbandillinois.org.

All of our maps are TerraGo GeoPDFs. By downloading the free toolbar, anyone can mark up and save edits to a PDF. If you notice any changes that need to be made, please send the edited pdf to giscorrections@broadbandillinois.org.

How We Map: The GIS Team leverages the power of ESRI ArcGIS to manage a geodatabase of almost 200 broadband providers providing broadband internet service in the state. Every six months, we submit this geodatabase to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) that contains the latest footprint and other information about Broadband Providers. We collect data through various methods, including: TerraGo PDF’s, Google Earth KML and KMZ files, ESRI Shapefiles, Excel Spreadsheets, AutoCAD drawings, and MapInfo files.

GIS Team:  The GIS Team is led by Brian Webster, Telecom Project Coordinator, and is assisted by two GIS Database Analysts, Steve Dryden, and Dan Gavrilovic.  Together, they work to ensure Broadband Illinois’s data is accurate and professionally displayed.  Meet our GIS Team here.

NOFA: NOFA stands for Notice of Funds Availibility. The NOFA explains how Broadband Illinois received money to do the mapping, defines the language used within the submission process, and provides a technical appendix which states what format Broadband Illinois needs to format its geodatabase for submission to the National Telecommunications  & Information Administration (NTIA).

Methodology: The Methodology document provides a complete record of what transpired during a submission cycle. Within the Methodology document, you  will find a list of all changes made, verification methods used, and  in-depth explanations of all GIS process used to determine a provider’s geographic coverage.  This document is updated with each submission cycle.  View the latest Methodology documents as well as an archive here.