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For wired connections my zip code shows 4 providers. This was exciting since there is only 1 right now that is equipped for high speed internet. The other 3 ar

by pgrote 12y ago

For wired connections my zip code shows 4 providers. This was exciting since there is only 1 right now that is equipped for high speed internet. The other 3 are dedicated business telecom companies and do not offer residential service. It appears broadbandmap.gov doesn't differentiate between residential and business. Looking at the wireless I was excited to see Wimax offered in my zip code according to the site. When I go the provider's map of coverage I only see a small section of the metro area covered and it doesn't include my zip code. It appears broadbandmap.gov doesn't include the actual wireless coverage provided.

cpitman 12y ago
This is one of the real issues with the FCC's collection of this data. Broadband providers don't report where they have customers they are providing service, they report areas that they "cover", where "cover" may just mean an intention to provide service. It may also mean that broadband (>3Mbps) is available, for the low low price of your first born. There's also a potentially anti-competitive slant to this: There are government subsidies available to provide coverage to unserved areas, which might help a small ISP or competitor move into the area. But if we say we cover it...
broadband432 12y ago
If you give me your zip code or a surrounding zip code, I can assure you that I'll find more than 1 residential broadband provider in your area.
- mhurron 12y ago
  And of course, if one person in a zip code can get it, everyone can. I could give you my old Zip code, it would include a small city that had DSL providers and Cable. Where I lived there was one provider, 3mb DSL. That finally showed up about 4 years ago.
  - gfdgh54yhgf 12y ago
    Even with 3Mbps, that's still sufficient for vast majority of Americans. Netflix, like the guy said, recommends only 3Mbs. Heck it requires only 0.5MBps[1] [1] https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306 https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306
    - mhurron 12y ago
      That wasn't the point. The user is saying everywhere has multiple providers to choose from, and it is just not true.
- seanp2k2 12y ago
  Ooh, that's funny. I guess you've never lived in apartments where your choice is between up-to-100mbit Comcast or 768K DSL from ATT. I guess LTE is also a choice for high speed if you want to use less than 5GB per month.

by pgrote 12y ago

cpitman 12y ago

This is one of the real issues with the FCC's collection of this data. Broadband providers don't report where they have customers they are providing service, they report areas that they "cover", where "cover" may just mean an intention to provide service. It may also mean that broadband (>3Mbps) is available, for the low low price of your first born. There's also a potentially anti-competitive slant to this: There are government subsidies available to provide coverage to unserved areas, which might help a small ISP or competitor move into the area. But if we say we cover it...

broadband432 12y ago

If you give me your zip code or a surrounding zip code, I can assure you that I'll find more than 1 residential broadband provider in your area.

mhurron 12y ago
And of course, if one person in a zip code can get it, everyone can. I could give you my old Zip code, it would include a small city that had DSL providers and Cable. Where I lived there was one provider, 3mb DSL. That finally showed up about 4 years ago.
- gfdgh54yhgf 12y ago
  Even with 3Mbps, that's still sufficient for vast majority of Americans. Netflix, like the guy said, recommends only 3Mbs. Heck it requires only 0.5MBps[1] [1] https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306 https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306
  - mhurron 12y ago
    That wasn't the point. The user is saying everywhere has multiple providers to choose from, and it is just not true.
seanp2k2 12y ago
Ooh, that's funny. I guess you've never lived in apartments where your choice is between up-to-100mbit Comcast or 768K DSL from ATT. I guess LTE is also a choice for high speed if you want to use less than 5GB per month.