{"slug": "fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds", "title": "FCC broadband study points to broader service reach, faster speeds", "summary": "The Federal Communications Commission voted to adopt its annual Section 706 Report, finding that advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion, with the number of Americans lacking access to 100/20 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband decreasing by approximately 23% from June 2024 to June 2025 and by 43% over two years, leaving 96.9% of Americans with access. The report also shows rural Americans lacking access fell by over 44% over two years, 5G coverage at 35/3 Mbps now reaches almost 95% of homes and businesses, and 77% of Americans have three or more fixed service options at 100/20 Mbps.", "body_md": "Featured Story\n\n## Lockheed Martin preps drone detection service using Verizon 5G\n\nLockheed Martin plans to offer a 5G drone detection service next year using Verizon's network and tech from Nvidia, ODC, Keysight and subsidiary Astris AI.\n\nThe FCC's latest annual Section 706 report finds that competition is helping to fuel broader expansion of broadband services and faster data speeds. #pressrelease\n\nAugust 14, 2026\n\nThe Federal Communications Commission voted to adopt the agency's annual Section 706 Report. Section 706 requires that the Commission report on \"whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.\" This year's Report is the first spanning the current Trump Administration and returns the agency's analysis to the plain language of the statute after an unprecedented departure late in the prior Administration. The Report shows that intensifying competition is driving providers towards ubiquitous service. These conclusions are backed up by other data showing that Americans are now benefiting from faster, more affordable and more robust broadband services.\n\nChairman Carr issued the following statement:\n\n\"President Trump's policies are delivering great results for Americans in communities all across the country. The data show that speeds are up, prices are down, competition is stronger than before, and the digital divide has narrowed substantially. The FCC is putting policies in place that will further accelerate high-speed builds and extend U.S. leadership. I look forward to the work ahead.\"\n\nThe Section 706 Report finds that advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion. This Report is the latest data point showing success in the broadband marketplace. Key findings in the Report include:\n\nDriving Towards Ubiquitous Broadband Availability – High-speed residential broadband is now more ubiquitous than ever before. From June 2024 to June 2025, the number of Americans lacking access to 100/20 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service decreased by approximately 23%. Over a two-year period, this reduction was approximately 43%. Today, 96.9% of Americans have access to a fixed terrestrial broadband service at 100/20 Mbps.\n\nThe Digital Divide Is Shrinking Rapidly in Rural America – Over a two-year period, the percentage of rural Americans lacking access to 100/20 Mbps fixed terrestrial broadband service decreased by over 44%. Further, with the inclusion of satellite, 100/20 Mbps rural broadband deployment is nearly universally available in rural areas.\n\nWidely Accessible 5G – The number of Americans lacking access to mobile 5G with a minimum speed of 35/3 Mbps declined by over 30% over a two-year period. Today, almost 95% of American homes and businesses are covered by 5G at 35/3 Mbps speeds.\n\nAmericans Have More Competitive Options Than Ever Before – The number of competitive options available to Americans also continues to grow. As of June 2025, 77% of Americans have access to three or more fixed services at 100/20 Mbps, and 43.4% of Americans have access to three or more fixed terrestrial services at 100/20 Mbps.\n\nRead the full press release [here.](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-broadband-report-shows-rapid-expansion-high-speed-internet-0)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds", "canonical_source": "https://www.lightreading.com/digital-divide/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds", "published_at": "2026-08-14 20:46:33+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-14 22:28:14.982827+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-policy"], "entities": ["Federal Communications Commission", "Chairman Carr", "President Trump"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/fcc-broadband-study-points-to-broader-service-reach-faster-speeds.jsonld"}}