Microsoft Says the FCC 'Overstates' Broadband Availability In the US (vice.com) 53
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: Microsoft this week was the latest to highlight the U.S. government's terrible broadband mapping in a filing with the FCC, first spotted by journalist Wendy Davis. In it, Microsoft accuses the FCC of over-stating actual broadband availability and urges the agency to do better. "The Commission's broadband availability data, which underpins FCC Form 477 and the Commission's annual Section 706 report, appears to overstate the extent to which broadband is actually available throughout the nation," Microsoft said in the filing. "For example, in some areas the Commission's broadband availability data suggests that ISPs have reported significant broadband availability (25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up) while Microsoft's usage data indicates that only a small percentage of consumers actually access the Internet at broadband speeds in those areas," Microsoft said.
Similar criticism has long plagued the agency. The FCC's broadband data is received via the form 477 data collected from ISPs. But ISPs have a vested interest in over-stating broadband availability to obscure the sector's competition problems, and the FCC historically hasn't worked very hard to independently verify whether this data is truly accurate. The FCC's methodology has long been criticized as well. As it currently stands, the agency declares an entire ZIP code as "served" with broadband if just one home in an entire census block has it. In its filing, Microsoft "suggested that the Commission's ongoing effort to more accurately measure broadband could be improved by drawing on the FCC's subscription data, along with other broadband data sets from third-parties such as Microsoft, to complement survey data submitted under the current rules."
Similar criticism has long plagued the agency. The FCC's broadband data is received via the form 477 data collected from ISPs. But ISPs have a vested interest in over-stating broadband availability to obscure the sector's competition problems, and the FCC historically hasn't worked very hard to independently verify whether this data is truly accurate. The FCC's methodology has long been criticized as well. As it currently stands, the agency declares an entire ZIP code as "served" with broadband if just one home in an entire census block has it. In its filing, Microsoft "suggested that the Commission's ongoing effort to more accurately measure broadband could be improved by drawing on the FCC's subscription data, along with other broadband data sets from third-parties such as Microsoft, to complement survey data submitted under the current rules."
Double standard (Score:4, Interesting)
If I send forms to the government that I fill out purposely wrong for my financial benefit, they'll call it fraud and fine me and possibly throw my ass in jail.
Why does this not apply here?
Re: (Score:2)
There are different rules for them.
Re: (Score:2)
If I send forms to the government that I fill out purposely wrong
On the other hand, how could they blame you for:
2018 1040 Tax Form for ~po_~{po ~poz~ppo\~{ o n~po_~{o[po ~y oodsou>#w4ko[NO CARRIRER]
Re:Double standard (Score:4, Insightful)
Easily. He should have upgraded to the broadband available in his area.
Re:Lack of critical thinkers? (Score:5, Informative)
Ajit Pai has literally made videos of himself making fun of people who don't agree with his policies. There is no level of incompetence that can explain that. It's pure fucking malice.
Re: (Score:2)
Not convinced the FCC has overstated the availability of broadband. Looking at the definition of broadband by the FCC... Unless you live in a cave, there is always satellite internet that fits the definition. It may not have the best ping times, but ping times are not included in the definition.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Looking at the definition of broadband by the FCC... Unless you live in a cave, there is always satellite internet that fits the definition. It may not have the best ping times, but ping times are not included in the definition.
What are these new satellite internet provider(s) meeting the FCC definition?
It's been about 6 years since I last checked but there was nothing even planned to be on the horizon for 25 Mbps down. I'd love to know what to search for since generic search terms don't turn up anything like that still.
For synchronous satellite gear the fastest I've seen is 1 Mbps down and a quarter of that up.
For asynchronous you can get some crazy download speeds but you need to use another form of connectivity for your upstre
Re: (Score:2)
You can get 20 Mbps out of Exede. That's still not 25, but it's pretty close. Upstream is 768k or so, IIRC. I just wish they had RV service. They also throttle streaming video, but I don't care about that. If I want full quality, I'll buy the Blu-Ray.
Well done. (Score:2)
I know it's fun to MS bash here, but they are doing the right thing.
And because it's a ${BIG_CORPORATION} complaining instead of public interest groups or ${PEONS}, maybe something will actually get done (but I doubt it)
Microsoft will drop it within weeks (Score:3)
The same thing happened with Net Neutrality and it's going to happen again now.
Re: (Score:2)
Microsoft has a vested interest that just happens to align with our interest in this situation. Faster broadband speeds for everyone would mean more people could use things like their XBox online gaming systems. If you have slow Internet, you're much less likely to use this stuff and their customer base shrinks. So Microsoft stands to profit more if we have better Internet connectivity. It doesn't mean I don't welcome their help, mind you. It just explains why they're on our side in this matter, but will be
Re: (Score:2)
I know it's fun to MS bash here, but they are doing the right thing.
Yes, for their business. They're not doing it because it's the right thing, they're doing it because it's the pragmatic thing.
Of course. (Score:2, Flamebait)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Cloud ohh all soft and fluffy, when in reality more like a solid concrete suit, where you have no control and they have total control, only slightly worse than Windows anal probe 10. They are such a disgusting company, that even when they are right, they make it impossible to support them. Ohhh lock some one finally worse than the tiny limpers, the FCC, wow you have to go really low to get lower than M$.
The Shield of Achilles (Score:2)
Internet service providers are universally descriptive in the effectiveness of their connection; up to
(25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up).
Technically, and of much greater importance, legally, their advertising has not breached litigious level with this claim from the Madmen.
Re: (Score:2)
My experience with 3G as a internet source says that once you get 10% packet loss, you can't go anywhere near the capacity the line has to offer.
With 3G, once you connect you now have a minimum 10% packet loss, 100 ping, and a very unstable download line. This is with both a router with dedicated antennas and cellphone as modem.
I've also experienced radio internet, where you have receives like the kind used for satellites pointing at a nearby radio tower. Which doesn't really come with any limitations excep
What's wrong with 110 baud? (Score:2)
I mean, come on, all you speed daemons need to mellow out, just let each character scroll slowly over your screen and let the corporate megalopoly provide you with what it can charge you top dollar for.
Re: What's wrong with 110 baud? (Score:1)
High-speed internet encourages wasteful programming.
Here's an idea (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:1)
Why doesn't Microsoft build a map out of all the locations that don't have broadband access? Must be an easy thing to do if you listen to them.
Bing[o]!
Re: (Score:2)
They don't need to compare to billing; they only need to compare to a map of the US showing where all the residential areas are. Wherever there are people but no telemetry it would be safe to say there's probably a lack of connection - at least to the point of going there to check the speed manually.
Microsoft to FCC (Score:1)
Dear FCC,
The telemetry of our products is now making a significant impact on Internet connections.
Please give MOAR bandwidth.
Smooches,
Microsoft Corp.
They’re not wrong (Score:2)
I was duped by bad broadband maps (Score:1)
I'm a software engineer and when I bought my current home, I made the mistake of relying on the broadbandmap.gov website. It showed that I had lots of cable internet options, so you can imagine my surprise when after signing over the next 30 years of my life, that I had... get this, ZERO options available. Satellite doesn't count, because using RDS streaming to stream desktops to your machine kills bandwidth. DSL wasn't even an option, because all of the circuits were being utilized. I was lucky enough
Re: (Score:2)