Estimates of broadband availability across the U.S. vary widely. The Federal Communications Commission asks 477 service providers if they “could (or do) provide [internet] services," regardless of actual users. It also deems a census block to be served if only a single customer has service. According to that method, 21.3 million Americans lacked access at the end of 2017.
Microsoft Corp. and others have challenged this estimate. "Many places are counted as covered that have no access and providers have no plans to provide it any time soon," Microsoft says, providing its own estimate that 162.8 million Americans are not using the internet at broadband speeds. A private research firm, BroadbandNow, spot-checked the FCC data in making its own estimate in February, stating that 42 million Americans lack access.