Twice a year, the Utah Broadband Project updates the statewide broadband coverage map data. Utah’s latest update was submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on April 1, 2014. All mapping updates by broadband providers and the Project’s mapping team are recorded in this summary of changes document.
In light of this latest update, April’s map of the month focuses on the current broadband landscape in Utah. 
Maximum Advertised Download Speeds
For each provider, and each technology (cable, DSL, etc), Utah maps the maximum advertised download and upload speeds at the census block level. The maps linked at right show the latest maximum download speed a residential user can subscribe to across Utah.
The first map shows the maximum download speeds a user can get through a fixed broadband connection. Fixed broadband includes DSL, cable, fiber, and fixed wireless. In general, residential users connect to fixed broadband for their home internet service. The second map shows the maximum download speeds available via a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, along Utah’s major highway corridors.
Taken together, these two maps paint the picture of all fixed and mobile broadband providers for residential-level consumers.
Broadband Use Cases
To better understand the type of service a residential user has access to throughout Utah, the Project defined three use cases based on maximum advertised download and upload speeds, and what functionality a user can expect at each case level.
Case 1 Basic Consumer Broadband (3 Mbps download, 768 Kbps upload): Allows for basic broadband internet functionality, such as browsing webpages and checking email.- Case 2 Home Office/Education Broadband (10 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload): Allows for basic functionality, plus satisfactory HD video streaming and photo upload and download.
- Case 3 High Capacity Broadband (25 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload): Allows for residential and small businesses with high volume usage.
Number of Fixed Broadband Providers
The number of broadband providers available per block is also a part of Utah’s broadband landscape. The maps linked at right illustrate the number of broadband providers capable of providing a fixed broadband connection at a defined advertised speed threshold to residential consumers across the state. These maps do not include mobile wireless providers.
For a more in depth look at the broadband landscape in Utah, visit Utah’s interactive broadband map. The map enables users to discover what providers are available and what speeds they advertise at a specific location entered by address or map click. The Data Filter interface allows inspection of service areas for specific providers, technology types, advertised speeds, and targeted market (residential and/or business users).
All maps are available on the map resources page.