Newly updated NTIA broadband map shows gains, shortcomings

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a semi-annual update of the National Broadband Map (NBM) – its sixth since the map was first posted in 2011.

The map, created and maintained in conjunction with the FCC and the states, gathers information from more than 2000 telecoms nationwide and catalogs the types of technology and speeds as of the end of 2102.

In a signed news release Anne Neville, director of the State Broadband Initiative says “confirms that we are making steady progress as a nation in ensuring that all Americans have access to at least a basic level of broadband.”

Much of that progress seems to be occurring in wireless build-out, with 4G now available to 90 percent of Americans, up from 81 percent in June, 2010. However, we are still lagging in wireline broadband speeds. As Neville says, “the map data also make clear that there is still more work to be done – particularly when it comes to building out the advanced, high-capacity telecommunications networks that our nation needs to compete and succeed in the global digital economy.”

Although the U.S. is moving closer to providing minimum service to all, truly high-speed Internet remains available only to the few. Virtually every American has access to 3 Mbps downstream and 768 Kbps upstream through wireless or wired networks, but only 6.7 percent have gigabit connections available either through fiber or cable.

Moreover, “The new data also underscore the significant broadband gap that still separates urban and rural communities.”

According to Neville, “the map has drawn more than 1 million unique visitors and over 100 million requests for the underlying data.” So, take a look at the map yourself, and search your own address.

The map underscores Speed Matters’ longtime reporting: The U.S. is making broadband progress, but not nearly as much as we should, and too many Americans aren’t able to join the tech revolution. Moreover the map shows the persistent need for more build-out of truly high-speed networks.

New Broadband Map Data Shows Progress, But Work Remains (National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Aug. 5, 2013)

National Broadband Map (NTIA and FCC, Aug. 2013)