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What is a Gap Analysis?
A gap analysis helps local governments identify whether to focus on increasing the availability of internet service or increasing the adoption of internet service.
Gap Analysis Dashboard
The Gap Analysis Dashboard identifies geographic areas with Limited Service Availability and Low User Adoption and compares the two, presenting a visual representation of which side of the connectivity equation demonstrates the most need.
For more Information on the foundational public data sources used, watch the NTIA Broadband USA webinar on "Data as the Foundation for Broadband Planning".
About the Data
Service Availability Data
The data was gathered from FCC Form 477 reports and Census 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.
The data are sourced from voluntary reports from service providers indicating where their company actively provides service, what type of technology (e.g. fixed terrestrial, satellite) they deploy, and to what number of households.
These data do NOT reflect the results of on-the-ground, measured speeds at all locations. Such granular data should be collected on the local level any time a major investment is planned.
Census data are from 2019. A steep rise in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic is not reflected in the data.
User Adoption Data
Data were gathered from the 2019 Census American Community Survey (ACS). The Survey asked households:
- whether they had a subscription to any type of fixed, terrestrial internet (not just mobile devices or satellite service)
- if they had a subscription, is service provided at broadband speeds (25 Mbps for uploads/3 Mbps for downloads), and
- whether they had a computer in their home.
These data should be considered a starting point for planning service expansions or making investments. Once a general area for improvement has been identified, further study of local speeds and user or households needs should be conducted.
What's Next?
If analysis of your local area indicates a greater Lack of Availability, the accessibility challenges are caused by a lack of infrastructure investment by internet service providers.
Increasing service availability involves facilities and infrastructure improvement. So solutions to this challenge are typically mid- to long-ranging goals.
If analysis of your local area indicates a greater Lack of Adoption, the accessibility challenges are caused by low rates of users purchasing internet service or the devices.
User Adoption interventions include finding ways to subsidize service or devices and educating users on the technology.