As part of its effort to promote widespread access to mobile broadband capabilities in the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has published a first-of-its-kind interactive map showing mobile broadband coverage available from the country’s largest wireless providers.
The FCC’s new interactive mobile broadband map allows consumers to determine access to mobile broadband voice and data services in their immediate geographic area (down to individual street addresses!), and to identify providers providing mobile broadband services in that area. The map is based on data collected under standards set by the federal Broadband DATA Act, which mandated the FCC to adopt specific data collection, verification, and reporting protocols.
Currently, the mobile broadband map shows coverage for AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon, companies which voluntarily submitted their coverage data to the FCC. The FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force is also encouraging other wireless carriers to share their standardized data for inclusion in the mobile broadband map.
