The FCC’s promised national broadband map, which aims to provide more accurate coverage data, is still about a year away. In the interim, LightBox has published an independent map that offers a clearer picture of broadband availability across the United States.
For years, the FCC’s existing broadband map faced criticism for overstating both coverage and speeds. Those inaccuracies hindered important decisions such as where to direct federal funding. A major reason was reliance on voluntary reports from internet service providers (ISPs) through the FCC’s Form 477 filings, which created incentives for providers to report broader or faster service than they actually deliver. The FCC historically did not verify those claims, and its methodology allowed large areas to be marked as “served” if service existed at a single location within a census block.
LightBox’s approach is different and designed to avoid bias toward specific operators. The company combines its Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric — a precise geospatial dataset that identifies structure footprints, addresses, occupancy classification, and counts of business and dwelling units — with aggregated data from roughly two billion Wi‑Fi access points collected nationwide. This combination allows for a much finer-grained and evidence-based view of actual connectivity.
Here is how the map presents connectivity:
(Red indicates very poor connectivity, orange indicates poor connectivity, yellow indicates acceptable or moderate connectivity, and green indicates good connectivity. White areas mark locations with no detected connectivity.)
The results are sobering for a wealthy, highly developed economy that also pays some of the highest broadband prices in the world. LightBox estimates that roughly 60 million Americans lack a reliable broadband connection.
Eric Frank, CEO of LightBox, emphasized the importance of detailed mapping:
“Accurate and granular maps based upon precise location data, serviceability, and analytics are required for government investment to be targeted and rapidly deployed to the communities in need.
LightBox has created this map based on our national Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric. Geospatially overlaying Wi‑Fi location data has identified the gaps in connectivity.
Whether the gaps are a function of lack of adoption or lack of service can now be tracked and appropriate remedies can be set in motion.”
Federal efforts to close the gap include the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), launched to bring high‑speed broadband to underserved rural communities. At its announcement, then‑FCC Chairman Ajit Pai described the program as a way to deploy broadband to millions of rural Americans efficiently and effectively.
However, because the FCC’s maps overstated coverage in some places, RDOF funds were sometimes directed to well‑served or wealthier areas while genuinely unserved communities were overlooked. In response, the FCC in July sent letters to 197 RDOF winners offering them the chance to withdraw funding requests for areas where existing service or potential waste was identified. The agency stressed it would not tolerate misuse of the program.
Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel underscored the need for oversight and accountability: “This program can do great things, but it requires thoughtful oversight. That’s why we are refocusing the program on unserved areas and putting winning bidders on notice of their obligation to ensure that support goes to the areas that need it.” She added a firm warning to applicants who fail to meet commitments: “Follow the rules or we will disqualify you and move on.”
(Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash)
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