Why flawed maps showing internet access may cost LA millions of dollars in public funding

California is getting more than $1.8 billion in federal grant money to expand high-speed broadband service in areas where residents have little to no access. But advocates say the state is undercounting the true number of residents who lack internet, especially those living in apartment buildings. That could mean dense cities like Los Angeles not getting their fair share. To identify underserved areas, the state uses broadband maps, which are based on self-reported data from internet companies.  But that data has some significant flaws. For example, an entire 20-unit apartment building can count as “served” if even one household — or just the leasing office — is able to get connected. The rest of the building's residents may not have service, either because they can’t afford it or because their units don’t have the necessary wiring or infrastructure to make it possible. Without a proper headcount, L.A. appears to have a smaller share of unserved or underserved residents — and that could stop the billions of dollars from the federal Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program from reaching the people it’s supposed to help.