Fact Sheet: 2016 Broadband Progress Report
Chairman’s Draft

Background
Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the FCC to determine whether “advanced
telecommunications capability” -- broadband -- is being deployed to all Americans in a “reasonable and
timely fashion.” If the answer is negative, the Act requires the FCC to “take immediate action” to speed
deployment. Following is a summary of Chairman Wheeler’s draft of the 2016 Broadband Progress
Report, which he will circulate to his fellow commissioners for their consideration at the January 28 Open
Meeting.
The Conclusion


While the nation continues to make progress in broadband deployment, advanced telecommunications
capability is not being deployed in a reasonable and timely fashion to all Americans.
Factors leading to this conclusion are as follows:
o Approximately 34 million Americans still lack access to fixed broadband at the FCC’s
benchmark speed of 25 Mbps for downloads, 3 Mbps for uploads
o A persistent urban-rural digital divide has left 39 percent of the rural population without
access to fixed broadband
 By comparison, only 4 percent living in urban areas lack access
 10 percent lack access nationwide
o 41 percent of Tribal Lands residents lack access
o 41 percent of schools have not met the Commission’s short-term goal of 100 Mbps per
1,000 students/staff.
 These schools educate 47 percent of the nation’s students,
 Only 9 percent of schools have fiber connections capable of meeting the FCC’s
long-term goal of 1 Gbps per 1,000 students.
o Internationally, the U.S. continues to lag behind a number of other developed nations,
ranking 16th out of 34 countries

Other Findings


Advanced telecommunications capability requires access to both fixed and mobile broadband
o Fixed and mobile service offer distinct functions meeting both complementary and
distinct needs
 Fixed broadband offers high-speed, high-capacity connections capable of
supporting bandwidth-intensive uses, such as streaming video, by multiple users
in a household.
 But fixed broadband can’t provide consumers with the mobile Internet
access required to support myriad needs outside the home and while
working remotely.
 Mobile devices provide access to the web while on the go, and are especially
useful for real-time two-way interactions, mapping applications, and social media
 But consumers who rely solely on mobile broadband tend to perform a
more limited range of tasks and are significantly more likely to incur
additional usage fees or forgo use of the Internet.

 o



The increasingly dynamic nature of residential and business communications requires
both fixed and mobile broadband access. A standard reflecting access to both fixed and
mobile broadband reflects current consumer needs, usage, and preference.

However, given the current record, the FCC does not yet set a mobile speed benchmark, so
deployment of mobile broadband is not reflected in the current assessment.

Improved Access
Percentage of Americans Lacking Access to Fixed Broadband at 25/3
2014
2013
2012
United States

10%

17%

20%

Rural Areas

39%

53%

55%

Urban Areas

4%

8%

11%

Tribal Lands

41%

63%

68%

Rural Areas

68%

85%

89%

Urban Areas

14%

41%

47%

U.S. Territories

66%

63%

100%

Ongoing Commission/administration/industry actions to increase broadband deployment
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

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Acceptance by 10 carriers in August, 2015 of $1.5 billion in annual support from Connect
America Fund to expand rural broadband deployment to 3.6 million homes and business by the
end of 2020 in 45 states and one territory.
Authorization by Dec. 2015 of $34 million in support through the Rural Broadband Experiments
program in 12 states
Following modernization of the E-rate program to better support fiber and Wi-Fi in schools and
libraries, the FCC has issued more than $2.8 billion in funding commitments, including $1 billion
for broadband connections of 100 Mbps and higher, and $1.1 billion for Wi-Fi for Funding Year
2015.
Further Notice considering modernization of Lifeline program to support broadband
Open Internet order ensures an open platform for network and application innovations, which
drive increased consumer demand for faster, better broadband
Brought pole attachment rates for cable and telecom companies to near-parity
HUD ConnectHome program to bring high-speed broadband to low-income housing in 27 cities
As part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure access to robust and affordable mobile voice and
broadband service, the Commission has conducted two Mobility Fund auctions:
o Mobility Fund Phase I auction, with winning bidders eligible to receive a total of up to
approximately $300 million in one-time support to provide 3G or better mobile voice and
broadband services to areas where those services did not exist, and
o Tribal Mobility Fund Phase I auction, with winning bidders eligible to receive a total of
up to approximately $50 million in one-time support to provide 3G or better mobile voice
and broadband services to Tribal lands.
Investment by industry of $78 billion in network infrastructure in 2014 (US Telecom)
Investment by wireless providers of $32 billion in 2014 (CTIA)
-FCC-