Broadband Availability Map: V.4

NOTE: This is no longer the current broadband availability map.

OFFICIAL NOTICE: July 1, 2021. As required by Iowa Code section 8B.10(1), as amended by 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 848, the Office is required, on a periodic basis to “[determine] whether a communications service provider offers or facilitates broadband service meeting the download and upload speeds specified in the definition of targeted service area in section 8B.1 … by reference to broadband availability maps or data sources that are ... identified by the office by rule.” The Office must make this periodic determination, at least, “to the extent updated maps and data sources are available at the time, includ[ing] making such determinations prior to each round of grant applications solicited by the office pursuant to section 8B.11.” However, “[t]he office is not required to make renewed determinations of whether a communications service provider facilitates broadband service … more frequently than once in any calendar year.” Under current law, such “findings and determinations . . . exclude mobile wireless or satellite data, capabilities, and delivery mediums” and are made at the census block level. Iowa Code section 8B.10; Iowa Admin. Code r. 129—20.1.

The Office documents and communicates these determinations through the creation and publication of this Statewide Broadband Availability Map (“Map”). In doing so, the Office utilizes maps and data sources made available by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and/or developed or produced by contractors or third parties retained or utilized by the Office for such purpose. These maps and corresponding data sources represent the status of Broadband in Iowa as of July 1, 2021 as reported by Communication Service Providers in Iowa. The Map will reflect broadband blocks as Targeted Service Areas (“TSA”) or non-TSAs. 

“Targeted service area” means a census block within which no communications service provider offers or facilitates broadband service at or above the tier 1, tier 2, or tier 3 download and upload speeds.

TSAs shall be further delineated as Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3. The Tier designations are as follows:

• “Tier 1” means a maximum download speed of less than 25 megabits per second and a maximum upload speed of less than three megabits per second.

• “Tier 2” means a minimum download speed of greater than or equal to 25 megabits per second but less than 50 megabits per second. No minimum upload speed is applicable for Tier 2.

• “Tier 3” means a minimum download speed of greater than or equal to 50 megabits per second but less than 80 megabits per second. No minimum upload speed is applicable for Tier 3.

Color Legend

With that backdrop in mind, as further explained through the following color legend, as of July 1, 2021, this Broadband Availability Map and corresponding data sources utilized by the Office support the following conclusions: 

• BLUE: If a broadband block is blue, a download/upload speed of less than 25/3 was materially and meaningfully available within that broadband block. Also, a blue broadband block will represent blocks without materially or meaningfully available service. This is a TSA with a Tier 1 designation.
• BLUE-GREEN: If a broadband block is blue-green, a download speed of greater than or equal to 25 mbps but less than 50 mbps was materially and meaningfully available within that broadband block. This is a TSA with a Tier 2 designation.
• LIGHT GREEN: If a broadband block is light green, a download speed of greater than or equal to 50 mbps but less than 80 mbps was materially and meaningfully available within that broadband block. This is a TSA with a Tier 3 designation.
• TRANSPARENT/WHITE: If a broadband block is transparent/white, a download speed greater than or equal to 80 mbps was materially and meaningfully available within that broadband block. These broadband blocks are non-TSAs, and are ineligible to receive State incentives.

Version/Stage in Process

This Map represents the official publication of version 4 (“V4”) of the Broadband Availability Map. Through this official publication, the Office triggered a window for formal challenges pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code rules 20.4(1)-(3) and 20.5. The challenge window is now closed and appeal decisions were issued by the Office on September 14, 2021.  Appeals received by the Office and appeal decisions are posted here.

View the Map