FCC Releases Broadband Coverage Map

A new federal broadband map published Friday shows roughly 2% of American residential addresses lack access to broadband internet service, though officials said that figure could change as their database improves.

The Federal Communications Commission released the map, as ordered by a 2020 law, showing millions of addresses with information about their access to broadband internet service from a variety of companies, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The officials said members of the public can review information about their communities and correct any inaccuracies they find through an online challenge process.

Rough data from the system Friday showed nearly 98% of U.S. home addresses could access fixed internet service over the 25 megabit-per-second download speed threshold federal officials consider adequate for broadband. That coverage figure counted service from satellite-internet providers like ViaSat, EchoStar Corp.’s Hughes and SpaceX’s Starlink as well as cable and fiber-optic companies.

Jessica Rosenworcel

“Today is an important milestone in our effort to help everyone, everywhere get specific information about what broadband options are available for their homes, and pinpointing places in the country where communities do not have the service they need,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “Our pre-production draft maps are a first step in a long-term effort to continuously improve our data as consumers, providers and others share information with us.  By painting a more accurate picture of where broadband is and is not, local, state, and federal partners can better work together to ensure no one is left on the wrong side of the digital divide.”

The public will be able to view the maps at broadbandmap.fcc.gov and search for their address to see information about the fixed and mobile services that internet providers report are available there.  If the fixed internet services shown are not available at the user’s location, they may file a challenge with the FCC directly through the map interface to correct the information.  Map users will also be able correct information about their location and add their location to the map if it is missing.  The draft map will also allow users to view the mobile wireless coverage reported by cellular service providers.