Broadband Providers Information

The Utah Broadband Center (UBC), in partnership with the state’s Utah Geospatial Resource Center (UGRC), works with broadband providers to keep current mapping data on broadband availability in Utah. The broadband mapping data is used to inform stakeholders about the broadband landscape in Utah, direct resources, and funding to improve broadband and support mapping projects or requests.

The UBC collects mapping data on fixed and mobile broadband services marketed primarily toward the residential market. Fixed services include service directly to an end-user over a fixed connection via fixed wireless, cable, DSL, fiber to the home, or another copper wireline.

To submit broadband coverage data for inclusion on our maps, email [email protected].

Residential Broadband Availability Map
How to Submit Residential Broadband Data
  1. Mapping data representing actual coverage service areas may be submitted in the following formats:
    1. Google Earth KMZ or Esri GIS format files.
    2. Infrastructure information to derive service coverage. All infrastructure data is kept proprietary.
    3. Fixed wireless providers must submit tower locations and related information, from which UGRC will derive a line-of-sight coverage footprint.
    4. A hardcopy or digital service coverage map should only be submitted as a last resort.
  2. Basic information is needed to finalize your submission:
    1. Provider data contact name.
    2. Technology of transmission from one or more of the following selections:
      1. Fixed wireless
      2. DSL
      3. Fiber to the home (FTTH)
      4. Other copper wireline
    3. Actual maximum advertised download and upload speeds marketed to a residential market. UBC must confirm advertised speeds. 
How to Submit Commercial Broadband Data

Locate.utah.gov maps commercial fiber availability. It also utilizes the residential broadband mapping data to communicate what providers are in a given area. There are two categories of commercial fiber service: 

  • Short-term (service can be provided within an average time frame of 1-3 months).
  • Custom (service can be provided within an average time frame of 3-9 months). 

Broadband providers that provide fiber to commercial end users can submit mapping data as Google Earth KMZ or Esri GIS format files. Fiber availability is aggregated to a statewide grid.

Commercial Broadband Mapping Data
Data Submission Deadlines
Residential broadband data is collected every six months, generally in March and September. Commercial fiber broadband providers will be reminded to update their data during the two data update rounds. The short-term and custom service for commercial broadband has only been collected in the last few years. Providers should ensure that the current information is up to date.
Data Quality & Validation
  • The UBC’s data intake and processing flow are important parts of data validation. In summary, our data flow consists of:
    • Initial evaluation of data submission and initial documentation.
      • Recording what was submitted by the provider.
      • Verification that the data update is usable.
  • Data processing
    • Update provider data in the UGRC-defined standard data format.
    • Detailed evaluation and documentation.
      • Document details of the data and the data processing steps.
      • Review the provider’s changes from previous submissions for consistency between what is in the data and discussions with providers.
  • Create data feedback for the provider to review when necessary.

Aerial photography, address location services, census block geometry, and road segment geometry used for broadband service mapping and quality control of the broadband data are from public domain resources in the SGID.