Check Out the FCC's Useless Broadband Competition Map

The Federal Communications Commission released data today detailing the spread of high-speed Internet connections across the nation as of the end of 2008, including a map of broadband providers by census tract. You might be thinking, "Wow, that's awesome — so why are we spending $350 million to create such a map as part of the broadband stimulus bill?" It's because the FCC map is worthless. The map defines broadband as any technology (excluding mobile broadband providers) delivering speeds of 200 Mbps down. I challenge folks to surf to Facebook, the new video-heavy CNN site or even get their Gmail over such a connection. It's not a fun experience. Plus, at those speeds video streaming isn't going to happen at all. However, there are only a few areas of the nation that don't have access to at least 200 Mbps at the end of 2008, and according to the map many folks have a choice of between four and six providers. However, given that some of those are undoubtedly meeting the old minimum standard of 200 Mbps or even the new minimum standard of 768 Mbps, I can't say this map really proves a competitive broadband market for anyone who wants to do anything more than get email.