New Data Show Major Broadband Gaps in Smaller Counties
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But even larger places have issues with inadequate internet service, according to a National Association of Counties report.
Sluggish internet service that does not meet minimum broadband standards has been a challenge in nearly two-thirds of the nation's counties in recent years, new research suggests.
The report from the National Association of Counties is based on data collected between March of 2019 and February of 2020 on cellular and fixed wireless broadband connections in 2,391 counties. It indicates that at least 1,362 of those places, or 65% of them, are experiencing internet service that does not meet the Federal Communications Commission's definition of broadband.
This was especially a problem in smaller counties, with 77% of counties with fewer than 50,000 people falling short of the FCC threshold. The share of places below the FCC-recognized minimum was 51.5% in counties with populations between 50,001 and 499,999, and 19% for counties with over 500,000 residents.
The FCC defines “broadband” service as having 25 megabits per second download speeds and 3 mbps uploads.
Cellular and fixed wireless connections are generally options that households would turn to for primary internet service if wired service or fiber isn't available or accessible—something that is not uncommon in outlying areas.
Mbps is a standard measure of speed for home internet connections. Service in the 100 to 200 mbps range is considered “ideal” for households of two to five people, according to Broadband Now. With speeds of 25 mbps or lower, it can be problematic for more than one or two people in a household to use a connection at once.
Of the locations surveyed by NACo, large counties averaged 25 mbps for cellular download speeds while medium-sized counties averaged 18 mbps and small counties averaged 17 mbps. With fixed-wireless connections, 59.6% of counties were experiencing the internet below 25 mbps. That share was up around 74% for small counties
These significant broadband gaps exist because of:
Incomplete and inaccurate data. Without data, gaps can be overlooked, leaving entire communities behind, NACo says.
Local solution constraints. Many counties are prohibited by states from making initial investments to help attract service providers to an unserved area. NACo says 25 states have limitations or bans on municipally owned broadband networks. “By removing local governments from the solution, these states have effectively created an unsolvable equation.”
High deployment costs. Broadband networks are subject to frequent advances that require upgrades and capital spending. The association says providing a cost-recovery or an incentive-based mechanism would be the same approach used to build out other essential utilities, such as water and electricity, in underserved areas.
Governments can use American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for broadband infrastructure, and experts say local governments are in the best position to know what initiatives will work to connect residents.
Some governments have announced plans to use some ARPA funding on broadband expansion. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, for example, said he would direct $100 million of the state's federal funds to broadband access. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said his state will commit $700 million in federal funding for last-mile infrastructure in unserved areas.
NACo said in its report that the lack of a scalable market often prevents broadband providers from investing in communities. Without changes to the data collection process, removal of local barriers and the reclassification of broadband as a utility — “no less important than water and electricity” — the digital divide will continue to expand.
For the year-long project, NACo partnered with several associations and companies to develop a mobile app so local residents could provide data on their cellular and broadband internet experiences. The data collected through the app allowed NACo to identify areas in the U.S. with low or no connectivity.
For more information from the broadband report click here.
Jean Dimeo is the managing editor of Route Fifty.
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