BroadbandCensus.com Releases Beta Version of Public Broadband Map in South Carolina

The map presents a Census block-by-Census block display of the availability, technologies and carriers offering broadband service within the area of Columbia, S.C. This beta map continues to be under active development by BroadbandCensus.com, and feedback is encouraged.

Unlike some other broadband maps in existence, the Broadband Census map includes carrier data at the Census block level. The map presents a detailed footprint of the major cable provider, Time Warner, and the major digital subscriber line provider, AT&T.

For each of the 8,078 Census blocks in Richland County, the map displays the presence or absence of broadband, the speed at which the broadband is promised, and the carriers that offer the service.

Because the interactive map renders thousands of polygon data within the display, load times can be long. Additionally, the beta map is best viewed using the Firefox or Safari web browsers.

As part of its efforts to create the broadband map, BroadbandCensus.com also announced that it has created Broadband Census Data LLC, a subsidiary of Broadband Census LLC.

The split of the operations of Broadband Census LLC helps to clarify the mission of BroadbandCensus.com. Broadband Census Data LLC offers commercial services – including the independent verification of broadband data – to cities, states, carriers and broadband users. Broadband Census News LLC offers daily and weekly reporting, and the Broadband Breakfast Club. Both subsidiaries are organized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

BroadbandCensus.com continues to believe that the public is best served by an open-source collection of data about the Broadband SPARC: Speeds, Prices, Availability, Reliability and Competition.

For more than three years, BroadbandCensus.com and Executive Director Drew Clark have been at the forefront of the effort to ensure that public and transparent broadband data – including carrier information – is freely available to consumers and to policy-makers.

“Our South Carolina beta map demonstrates that public and transparent broadband mapping is achievable,” Clark said. “There is a readily obtainable alternative to closed and proprietary broadband data.”

BroadbandCensus.com also announced that it will hold a FREE press conference/webinar to discuss its methodology in building the map. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at 2 p.m. ET. Register at http://broadbandmaps.eventbrite.com

Taking the lead responsibility in building the map was Andrew MacRae, Chief Operating Officer for Broadband Census LLC, whose new responsibilities include both data and news operations.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity, and I believe that this new structure will help us focus on improving our offerings,” said MacRae.

The map was funded by a contract with Benedict College, a historically black college in Columbia, S.C.

BroadbandCensus.com’s news operations include daily reporting from Washington and the states. Broadband Census News LLC also hosts the popular Broadband Breakfast Club, which has been inviting top experts and policy-makers to share breakfast and perspectives on broadband technology and internet policy since October 2008.