The Federal Communications Commission launched a new map to show consumers the level of cellular coverage in their area. It includes information from AT&T and T-Mobile as well as US Cellular. This map has been long in coming and is a significant improvement on previous attempts by the Federal Communications Commission to show gaps in broadband coverage.Nilay Patel, Verge editor in chief, pointed out that this map shouldn't have taken so long. The Broadband Deployment Accuracy Technological Availability Act (DATA Act) was signed in March 2020. It required that maps be created. For years, confusion has surrounded the so-called digital gap due to the lack of information about broadband coverage.The map is not based on crowdsourced data or data collected by the FCC. Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC acting chair, stated in a press release that the data was provided to the carriers by those who don't have the best reputation for being able to provide accurate information about where they offer broadband. (Though the FCC is currently working to get a better picture on home internet availability and The Verge as well as Consumer Reports are examining the cost-effectiveness of broadband).This interactive map allows users to select the coverage maps of their preferred carriers. It also provides information about LTE coverage and voice coverage. According to the FCC, the map was created by its Broadband Data Task Force. It is very user-friendly. Instead of switching between Verizon's coverage maps and T-Mobile's AT&T's, the map allows users to see all data in one place. It also distinguishes between voice availability and data availability, which is very useful as being able make calls and getting online are two different things.The map does not have data on 5G coverage or any indication of the speeds that users can expect. Rosenworcel stated that the network must provide at least 5Mbps down, and 1Mbps up in order to be considered 4G data coverage. It could be hard to discern if one carrier provides 100Mbps speeds in an area and another 10Mbps speeds in another.The carriers provide the data for the mapRosenworcel acknowledges that the map is just one step in the FCC's efforts to improve information for consumers. However, it is an important one. This map gives consumers a minimum of information about what to expect in a particular area, and allows them to make informed decisions about their cellular provider.
