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13 “invalid” addresses Let's not overstate the problem here...

dymk 4y ago
Let's not understate it either - 13 invalid addresses in Fort Collins that Ars was able to find. I wouldn't expect this is isolated to Fort Collins. And indeed - "30 residential addresses on Quartz Loop" which were falsely listed as served were found too. Also, this is data used to participate in federal grant programs, so it's not like an "oopsie!" kind of thing.
- pavel_lishin 4y ago
  Over 30, just in that neighborhood. And that was after a brief search. > We tested Comcast's coverage claims in Hillier's area by clicking nearby addresses on the FCC map and then entering the addresses on Comcast's ordering website at xfinity.com. Our search wasn't exhaustive, but we found over 30 residential addresses on Quartz Loop and several abutting streets that had the same problem—Comcast claims to serve those houses on the FCC map, but each address is listed as "invalid" on the Comcast website.
- ghaff 4y ago
  Both Comcast and Verizon have mistakes in their databases. They both list me as living on N. Main St. even though it's been Main St. (with N. Main just being a short stub) for some number of decades now. I actually have Comcast service and it hasn't been a problem but the point is that they have some incorrect/outdated data.
- georgel 4y ago
  Luckily most of FoCo doesn't need to rely on Comcast. They have their own muni ISP which is $60/mo and no taxes/fees. I've been using them for a few years without any issue. https://fcconnexion.com/residential/residential-internet-service/ https://fcconnexion.com/residential/residential-internet-ser...
yjftsjthsd-h 4y ago
Unfortunately, I don't see enough about sample size or testing method to tell if that's a big or small problem; if they randomly sampled 20 addresses and 13 were wrong, that's a big deal. If they sampled every address in the state and 13 were wrong, that's a smaller issue.
wing-_-nuts 4y ago
Overstate? Overstate?! Go on the fcc map. Pick a rural location that supposedly has service. Go to that providers website and try to sign up for service on that address. If I had to ballpark, probably 25% of addressees outside my home town are fraudulently claimed as having service. The FCC needs to enable a fraud bounty. I'd be more than happy to stick it to these companies and get paid for doing so.

dymk 4y ago

Let's not understate it either - 13 invalid addresses in Fort Collins that Ars was able to find. I wouldn't expect this is isolated to Fort Collins. And indeed - "30 residential addresses on Quartz Loop" which were falsely listed as served were found too. Also, this is data used to participate in federal grant programs, so it's not like an "oopsie!" kind of thing.

pavel_lishin 4y ago
Over 30, just in that neighborhood. And that was after a brief search. > We tested Comcast's coverage claims in Hillier's area by clicking nearby addresses on the FCC map and then entering the addresses on Comcast's ordering website at xfinity.com. Our search wasn't exhaustive, but we found over 30 residential addresses on Quartz Loop and several abutting streets that had the same problem—Comcast claims to serve those houses on the FCC map, but each address is listed as "invalid" on the Comcast website.
ghaff 4y ago
Both Comcast and Verizon have mistakes in their databases. They both list me as living on N. Main St. even though it's been Main St. (with N. Main just being a short stub) for some number of decades now. I actually have Comcast service and it hasn't been a problem but the point is that they have some incorrect/outdated data.
georgel 4y ago
Luckily most of FoCo doesn't need to rely on Comcast. They have their own muni ISP which is $60/mo and no taxes/fees. I've been using them for a few years without any issue. https://fcconnexion.com/residential/residential-internet-service/ https://fcconnexion.com/residential/residential-internet-ser...

yjftsjthsd-h 4y ago

Unfortunately, I don't see enough about sample size or testing method to tell if that's a big or small problem; if they randomly sampled 20 addresses and 13 were wrong, that's a big deal. If they sampled every address in the state and 13 were wrong, that's a smaller issue.

wing-_-nuts 4y ago

Overstate? Overstate?! Go on the fcc map. Pick a rural location that supposedly has service. Go to that providers website and try to sign up for service on that address. If I had to ballpark, probably 25% of addressees outside my home town are fraudulently claimed as having service. The FCC needs to enable a fraud bounty. I'd be more than happy to stick it to these companies and get paid for doing so.