FCC’s ‘706’ Report Finds Broadband Not Being Deployed Fast Enough

The Federal Communications Commission July 20 released a report finding that between 14 and 24 million Americans still lack access to broadband internet service with no immediate prospects of getting connected, concluding for the first time since 1999 that “advanced telecommunication capability” is not being deployed to all Americans in a “reasonable and timely fashion.”

Section 706 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act requires the commission to report on whether advanced telecommunications capability, like broadband, is being made available to Americans in a reasonable and timely way.

Even before the official release of the “706” report, the telecom industry began to ...