Telecommunications: Projects and Policies Related to Deploying Broadband in Unserved and Underserved Areas

Citation
Government Accountability Office, Telecommunications: Projects and Policies Related to Deploying Broadband in Unserved and Underserved Areas (GAO-14-409) (Apr. 23, 2014) (full-text).

Overview
Broadband service provides users with many opportunities to improve communications and broadband deployment is particularly critical in rural areas to provide advanced communications to remote users and communities. In 2010, FCC estimated that 7 million U.S. housing units—about 5 percent of the nation's housing units—did not have access to wireline broadband service, mostly in rural areas. Some municipalities, cooperatives, and non-traditional private providers are exploring ways to sponsor and fund broadband projects in unserved and underserved areas.

GAO was asked to provide information on options for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas. This report examines (1) what is known about the alternative approaches unserved and underserved areas have used to deploy broadband and some factors considered in deployment decisions; (2) stakeholders' views on broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas; and (3) efforts FCC has undertaken to foster broadband deployment in unserved areas. GAO reviewed relevant documents and interviewed FCC officials, representatives from industry, and incumbent providers. GAO also conducted an in-depth review of 21 geographically dispersed broadband projects selected to include various sponsor types, such as municipalities, non-traditional private providers, and cooperatives, and various ownership and financing approaches. GAO provided FCC with a draft of this report for comment. In response, FCC provided technical comments, which have been incorporated as appropriate.