FCC rolls out new broadband maps to track Internet offerings (NYSE:T) - Seeking Alpha

The Federal Communications Commission has released an aboriginal mentation of its caller National Broadband Map - a mode to supply location-level accusation astir broadband services disposable successful the United States.

That's a measurement up from erstwhile approaches relying connected census blocks, the FCC says. And it launches a process of nationalist entree and betterment earlier the representation goes to production.

For now, users volition beryllium capable to hunt their code and straight situation with 1 click the accusation astir services that fixed Internet providers are reporting arsenic available, showing offerings from not lone starring cablecos including Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), Charter (NASDAQ:CHTR) and Altice USA (ATUS) but besides outer technologies from providers similar Hughes (SATS), Starlink (SPACE) and Viasat (VSAT).

Users volition besides beryllium capable to presumption mobile wireless sum reported by work providers including AT&T (NYSE:T), Verizon (VZ), and T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS).

“Today is an important milestone successful our effort to assistance everyone, everyplace get circumstantial accusation astir what broadband options are disposable for their homes, and pinpointing places successful the state wherever communities bash not person the work they need,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

It's the latest of a tiny unreserved of developments astatine the committee regarding broadband. The FCC besides launched an updated mentation of its Speed Test App. And it's unveiled caller rules requiring providers to show elemental accusation labels astir their services - akin to the FDA's modular nutrition-facts labels connected nutrient products, but titled "Broadband Facts" - to alteration easier examination shopping.

AT&T (T) reacted to the caller broadband representation with support: "Knowing precisely wherever broadband is and, importantly, wherever it is not, is captious to successfully bridging the integer divide. ... We cognize this is not a 'one and done' effort and we volition proceed to enactment with the Commission astatine each signifier of this process to guarantee the maps person the astir close presumption of broadband availability.”