DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - Thousands down and thousands to go. DeSoto County is surveying every single resident to see what the county's internet coverage looks like.
After four weeks of work, the county is extending the deadline another month.
There are still residents all over the county, even in big cities, who can't get high-speed internet at home. Taking this survey is the first step to fix that.
"We've had over 15,000 surveys completed and returned to us," says Lee Caldwell. That's a great turnout, but not quite meeting the county's goal. "I would like to have 25,000."
The survey was supposed to end November 1st, but it's being extended.
"Because we feel like we need to be able to reach out more. We do not want to leave any area untouched. We're finding even in Southaven there may be a little section of people there who do not get broadband service."
The survey is the only surefire way the county can know who has what. "It may be where a neighbor has it then 500 feet the next neighbor can't get it," Caldwell explains.
"I haven't taken a survey, but I do have internet service," said Scott Ferguson. But supervisors still want to hear from him and others like him.
The questionnaire is available online or by phone. It's also in schools, city halls and libraries.
"I think we do need broadband service county wide," Ferguson says. "We'll do whatever our officials can do to see that this moves forward and that everyone has access to this type of service."
The county has already helped a few residents connect.
"They've called us," Caldwell says. "Then when we brought to the attention of Comcast and AT&T they've been able to reach out and help those people. So this is already been very beneficial."
Residents have until the end of November to respond.
To take the survey online or print one out, visit:
http://www.desotoms.com/component/content/article/63-board-of-supervisors/471-broadband-survey
