About PlainBroadband

PlainBroadband transforms raw FCC broadband deployment data into searchable, understandable pages. We cover 2,142 internet service providers, 56 states and territories, and 10 connection technologies. Our goal is to make it easy for anyone to explore broadband coverage data without navigating complicated government databases or downloading massive spreadsheets.

The broadband landscape in the United States is complex. Thousands of providers offer service through a patchwork of technologies, from fiber-optic lines to fixed wireless towers to satellite constellations. Understanding what's available in your area, and how your state compares to others, shouldn't require a data science background. That's the problem PlainBroadband solves.

Our Data

All data comes directly from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via the Form 477 broadband deployment dataset. This is the official federal data collection program that requires all facilities-based broadband providers in the United States to report where they offer service. The program has been collecting data since 2000, making it the longest-running broadband availability dataset in the country.

Our data includes:

  • Provider coverage: Which providers operate in which states, and the extent of their deployment footprint measured by census block filings.
  • Technology types: The broadband technologies tracked by the FCC, from fiber-optic to cable, DSL, terrestrial fixed wireless, and satellite.
  • Speed data: Average maximum advertised download speeds aggregated at the state level, giving a snapshot of the competitive landscape.
  • Technology mix: The percentage of deployment records using fiber, cable, DSL, and other technologies in each state, showing infrastructure investment patterns.

Methodology

We download raw FCC Form 477 datasets, process them through our automated ETL pipeline, and aggregate the data by provider, state, and technology. No data is modified, interpolated, or editorially adjusted. All values trace directly back to the FCC filings.

Derived metrics like averages and percentages are calculated from the raw data using straightforward arithmetic. For example, the fiber percentage on a state page is the count of fiber technology records divided by the total records in that state. See our full methodology page for details on every processing step and known data limitations.

Data Currency

Our database reflects the FCC's Form 477 fixed broadband deployment data, June 2020 status - the final Form 477 fixed deployment release before the FCC moved to its newer Broadband Data Collection (BDC) system. Form 477 collected data twice per year (June 30 and December 31 reporting dates) from 2000 until it was retired; this is its last public snapshot, so the figures here are a historical record of U.S. broadband availability as of mid-2020, not a live feed.

For current, location-level availability, use the FCC's National Broadband Map, which is built from the BDC data that replaced Form 477. PlainBroadband presents the Form 477 archive because it remains the longest-running, fully public census-block dataset and is valuable for understanding the historical shape of the U.S. broadband market.

Not Affiliated

PlainBroadband is not affiliated with the Federal Communications Commission, any internet service provider, or any government agency. We are an independent data portal that presents publicly available information in a more accessible format. We do not endorse or recommend any specific provider.

Who Built This

PlainBroadband is built and maintained by PlainBroadband, an independent team focused on making public data accessible without paywalls, account requirements, or advertising walls. We believe that understanding your broadband options should not require a data science degree or a subscription to an industry research service.

Our broadband portal is part of a larger effort to bring transparency to public data across multiple domains. From education to healthcare to infrastructure, government agencies collect vast amounts of useful data that often sits behind difficult interfaces. We build portals that make this data discoverable and understandable for everyone.

Editorial Independence

Content on PlainBroadband is compiled from the FCC's public Form 477 fixed broadband deployment dataset and transformed into readable pages by our automated data pipeline, with values traced back to the source filings. The PlainBroadband editorial team, is responsible for data presentation, methodology, and corrections.

We do not accept payment, sponsorship, or promoted placement from internet service providers or any entity we cover. Our only revenue source is contextual display advertising served by Google AdSense, advertisers do not influence which providers we list or how we present the data, and they do not receive preferential placement.

Disclaimer

This site is for informational purposes only. Data comes from U.S. government sources and is presented as-is. While we strive for accuracy, FCC Form 477 data has known limitations including potential overstatement of coverage at the census block level. Advertised speeds may not reflect actual user experience.

Always verify broadband availability directly with providers for your specific address. We cannot guarantee data completeness or real-time accuracy. For the most current official data, visit the FCC directly at fcc.gov.

Contact

For questions, feedback, or data correction requests, email hello@plainbroadband.com. We typically respond within two business days.