Who it's for: anyone who wants to know what internet service is really available at their home or small business, or whose home is shown wrong, especially in rural areas like much of Nevada County.
What it is
The FCC's National Broadband Map shows, for each home or small business, which providers report offering internet there (fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, fixed wireless), with the maximum advertised speeds. A separate mobile map shows each carrier's outdoor 3G/4G/5G coverage.
Fix wrong information (free)
- Availability Challenge: if the map says a provider serves you but it doesn't. Grounds include: the provider denied a request for service, demanded excessive connection fees, or failed to schedule an installation within 10 business days. The provider must respond; if it concedes or can't rebut the challenge, the service is removed from the map for your location.
- Location Challenge: if your home is missing from the map, or its address or placement is wrong.
- Mobile coverage: take outdoor or in-vehicle tests with the FCC Speed Test app (Google Play / App Store).
Source: fcc.gov — Broadband Data Collection Consumer Information (checked 2026-09-28).
Why it matters now
In September 2026 NTIA opened a new BEAD funding round that states can use for newly identified unserved locations not previously on the FCC's map, and for locations affected by defaults in earlier programs. A correct map helps get your area counted.
Source: NTIA press release — BEAD location “true-up” (checked 2026-09-28).