New FCC broadband map of the U.S. is ‘a step in the right direction’

TL;DR

In the past, maps tended to overestimate coverage because it was based on advertised speeds available and Census block level, said Robert Gallardo, director at the Purdue Center for Regional Development.“Now you can go in and challenge that availability, but it does require a little bit of prep time, meaning you can see the options you have to challenge the availability piece.”To challenge, one has to include either a bill from the provider or include a screenshot from the website that shows the package is not available for that address.“And it does require a little bit of digital savvy to go in there and take a screenshot of the website or upload the bill.And honestly, with that amount of time, I don’t know how to solve that.”Jenna Leventoff, senior policy counsel at Public Knowledge — an organization that promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works — said what’s at stake with the maps is billions of dollars in funding.Leventoff said if you look at the homepage of the new maps, it kind of defaults to showing every different type of broadband, including satellite internet."

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