Products

Insider Intelligence delivers leading-edge research to clients in a variety of forms, including full-length reports and data visualizations to equip you with actionable takeaways for better business decisions.
Reports
In-depth analysis, benchmarks and shorter spotlights on digital trends.
Learn More
Forecasts
Interactive projections with 10k+ metrics on market trends, & consumer behavior.
Learn More
Charts
Proprietary data and over 3,000 third-party sources about the most important topics.
Learn More
Industry KPIs
Industry benchmarks for the most important KPIs in digital marketing, advertising, retail and ecommerce.
Learn More
Briefings
Client-only email newsletters with analysis and takeaways from the daily news.
Learn More
Analyst Access Program
Exclusive time with the thought leaders who craft our research.
Learn More

About Insider Intelligence

Our goal at Insider Intelligence is to unlock digital opportunities for our clients with the world’s most trusted forecasts, analysis, and benchmarks. Spanning five core coverage areas and dozens of industries, our research on digital transformation is exhaustive.
Our Story
Learn more about our mission and how Insider Intelligence came to be.
Learn More
Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More
Our People
Take a look into our corporate culture and view our open roles.
Join the Team
Contact Us
Speak to a member of our team to learn more about Insider Intelligence.
Contact Us
Newsroom
See our latest press releases, news articles or download our press kit.
Learn More
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Reach an engaged audience of decision-makers.
Learn More
Events
Browse our upcoming and past events, recent podcasts, and other featured resources.
Learn More
Podcasts
Tune in to eMarketer's daily, weekly, and monthly podcasts.
Learn More

Misleading coverage maps from T-Mobile, Verizon could result in lost rural broadband funds

The news: Wireless providers are overstating the coverage and quality of their services, complicating efforts to identify underserved communities. Those areas could lose out on $42.5 billion in federal funds as a result, per Bloomberg.

The problem: Inaccuracies block competitors from obtaining subsidies and competing in certain markets because maps show they are already being served.

  • Many network carriers boast that they have the best and fastest coverage and provide broadband maps to demonstrate their dominance. 
  • “They’re reporting hypothetical service, not actual service,” said Christopher Ali, a telecommunications professor at Pennsylvania State University.

Verizon said it can reach 19 million addresses, while T-Mobile claims that it can serve 50 million households, but this doesn’t mean they actually do. 

  • Gerlach, Nevada, already has coverage, according to T-Mobile’s map, but county officials are complaining that is inaccurate.
  • “There is no reliable broadband up there,” says Washoe County manager Eric Brown, whose jurisdiction includes Gerlach.

Coverage conundrum: With billions in federal funds ready to be distributed to help provide internet in underserved communities, inaccurate coverage maps could overlook areas that appear to have access.

Nevada US Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto have found over 20,000 inaccuracies in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Coverage Map.

What’s next? A bipartisan group of 26 senators is pushing the FCC to fix broadband mapping. 

  • The FCC is ordering carriers to submit estimates of their coverage backed by engineering data.
  • “The maps will only get better over time as the FCC gets input from stakeholders across the country,” said Paloma Perez, an FCC spokesperson. “The maps are not perfect.”

Time is running out: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which has been tasked with administering the funds, will issue grants by June 30.

This article originally appeared in Insider Intelligence's Connectivity & Tech Briefing—a daily recap of top stories reshaping the technology industry. Subscribe to have more hard-hitting takeaways delivered to your inbox daily.