New National Broadband Map Update v5, Data as of June 2024

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released the 5th version of the National Broadband Map, with data as of June 2024. At a high level, the trend continues of fewer and fewer unserved and underserved locations: in the previous version, 8.8 million locations were unserved or unserved. Now, with six months more data, we’re down to 7.5 million locations needing better broadband service. That’s an 15 percent decrease over one six-month period. And a 3 percent decrease from the first BDC broadband map 18 months ago. Here’s another way to think about it: when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration made the formal allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Service program, there were 11.9 million unserved locations. That was $3,341 per location. On the basis of less eligible locations alone, since the available funding stays the same, now there’s $5,662 per location—a 69 percent increase.