Keeping track of the internet service providers in an area, the connection types they use and the speeds they offer is no easy task, but the Federal Communications Commission does a fairly good job of it. Enough so that it’s often my starting point when researching ISPs to create in-depth reviews and evaluate internet options in a specific area, like my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.The FCC updates its database twice a year to keep up with the ever-changing broadband landscape as fiber providers expand into more areas and new technologies like 5G home internet and low-orbit satellites emerge to introduce some much-needed competition. The most recent update dropped in the middle of May, making the data current as of December 31, 2023.Despite the biannual updates, the FCC recognizes its maps and data aren’t without flaws. To help promote accuracy, users can propose amendments to an address, building type or the listed providers and speeds that are available.Some inaccuracies are inevitable, but on the whole, I would argue the FCC broadband data is generally correct and paints a reliable picture of ISP and connection type availability across the US. I spent some time reviewing the data and comparing it to previous updates. Here’s what I found.Broadband is available everywhere, with a catchDownload speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 20Mbps or higher — the minimum speeds required to qualify as broadband — are available to 99.97% of US households, according to the FCC data. That doesn’t mean we’ve closed the broadband divide, however. Satellite internet, from Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink, skews the data a bit as each provider is available virtually everywhere in the US and may offer download speeds of 100Mbps or higher (though not by much), in most service areas.When you take satellite internet out of the equation, as filters on the FCC maps allow you to do, broadband internet is available to only around 93% of US households. That includes wired (cable, DSL, fiber) and wireless connections like T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet. Narrowing the scope further to include only cable and fiber service — the best connection types for fast speeds and plan varie …
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