FCC Releases Second Iteration of Broadband Availability Maps

The FCC released the second iteration of its new broadband availability maps Tuesday, showing more than 8.3 million homes and businesses lack access to high-speed broadband. It also shows a net increase of more than 1 million new serviceable locations from the initial map. It's "the most accurate depiction of broadband availability in the FCC’s history," NTIA said in a blog. The agency will rely on the maps for its broadband, equity, access and deployment program allocations.

"NTIA is confident that with this data as a baseline, we will be able to effectively allocate funds by the end of June," the agency said. NTIA will "continue to monitor the FCC’s updates to availability data to ensure that we make a well-informed allocation of these vital funds."

The FCC’s previous methodology for developing broadband maps “left a lot to be desired” and "overstated service nationwide,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a note: “It also provided a less than accurate picture of unserved communities because it lacked the kind of granular data policymakers need if they want to address the digital divide.”

The new map includes an automated check in the system to validate ISPs’ submissions. The FCC has initiated more than 800 verification inquiries so far and more than 600 submissions have been updated as a result of the new system, Rosenworcel said. The commission has identified about 330,000 additional unserved locations since the initial map's release.

The initial version of the updated broadband map released in November “was light years better than preceding maps because it no longer relied on census block-level reporting,” Rosenworcel said. Tuesday’s map reflects the more than four million challenges received by the FCC since then, “as well as other improvements to the data we have been making since we launched our first public effort last year,” she said.

More than 75% of the challenges received have been resolved to date, Rosenworcel noted, and the FCC is “going to continue to release a major update twice a year.” The Chairwoman noted FCC staff met with representatives from every state “at least once” and hosted more than 200 individual sessions. Staff also responded to more than 7,600 technical assistance requests from ISPs and challengers.

Industry groups welcomed the new map. “We applaud the FCC for its diligent work to bring these maps to life by identifying all broadband-serviceable locations in the U.S., which is key to bringing high speed connectivity to all Americans,” said AT&T Executive Vice President-Federal Regulatory Relations Rhonda Johnson.

“Vast resources are allocated to bringing broadband to every corner of the country and connecting Americans everywhere," said Incompas CEO Chip Pickering. It's "critical that the maps directing this process are as accurate as possible to ensure we meet the needs of the country and build new networks to unserved and underserved areas," he said, adding that the revised maps "will be essential in assisting NTIA in determining state allocations for the BEAD program."

The new version is "another step in a massive undertaking by Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection Task Force," said USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter. The new data "will no doubt be an important tool to reach 100% connectivity and close the digital divide," Spalter said. Information and Technology Industry Council CEO Jason Oxman said in a tweet he's "pleased" to see the new map, calling it a "critical step" toward closing the digital divide.