It is not at all controversial to say that the internet service in the United States is struggling. As part of its plan to update coverage cards in the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in a traditional break, is finally asking average Americans to report what Internet services are actually available where they live.
In the past, the FCC has made these cover cards with self-reported data from the ISPs themselves, an inherent compromise decision because Internet service providers naturally want to paint the most rosy picture possible. Since the FCC uses these cards as evidence for proposed regulations, it could severely hamper the FCC’s ability to ensure that there is real competition in the market, and that the Internet is distributed responsibly. For example, a map might show that you have 11 broadband providers if you actually have only one or two real options.
Now the FCC will finally go to the people who use the internet to learn what’s going on, although you may need to communicate clearly to be heard. The form the FCC uses for your answers is certainly rudimentary; it looks like a general complaint form and does not ask specific questions about broadband at all (the only reference is in the headline). But the FCC says it’s a stopgap on the way to a more detailed and specific reporting tool. For now, maybe you can look at the current crazy cards of the FCC at your address and tell the FCC if you really have the choices the ISPs claim you have.
If the broadband data task force has completed these new data points, we will hopefully have more accurate maps that show the worrying reality of US internet and can do something about it.