Earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a new map that showcases the kind of cellular coverage users can expect from their areas. Although the map does not show home internet availability, you can use it to find where the networks of AT&T, US Cellular, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless are strongest.
To be fair, the wireless networks have released their own coverage maps for quite some time now. And this is where the FCC collects its data from in order to come up with an accurate map. The availability of such a map follows the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, which was signed in March 2020.
Thanks to its Broadband Data Task Force, the FCC was able to create an interactive map that provides valuable information on LTE and voice coverage. The data included in the map overlaps each other so that users don’t have to switch between the areas covered by Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
Right now, the map does not include 5G coverage or any information on what kind of speeds users can expect in a certain area. In order to qualify as 4G data, the network needs to provide at least 5Mbps down and 1Mbps up.
But according to acting FCC chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, this is only the first step of the FCC to improve availability of information to consumers. Hopefully, they will work on improving the features of the map and give more information to users in the future.
You can click here to see the map in action.
