NTIA Updates National Broadband Map Every Six Months

After various experts and state officials questioned the accuracy of the NTIA's National Broadband Map stating that it is "just plain wrong" in some areas, the agency announced that it updates the map every six months and has done so since its inception. 

The National Broadband Map is a tool to provide detailed datasets of broadband availability nationwide.  Data is obtained through partnerships between the federal government, states, and voluntary participation of broadband providers. 

The NTIA's announcement and explanation of updates stated that the country is broken up into 11 million distinct census blocks, each with an average of 28 people.  States use information from providers, public data, and "third-party datasets" to compile information on statewide availability, and then grantees are required to review the data and include on-the-ground knowledge through inquiries, meetings, and drive testing, and report any discrepancies found through their verification to the NTIA. 

Unfortunately this release did not comment on the claims from various experts that the map's accuracy is jeopardized at the source of the data through inconsistent criteria and over-generalized or overstated input from broadband providers.

The NTIA encouraged readers to contact their state's grantee to voice concerns and provide input on the map's accuracy.