Are rural broadband maps showing problems or opportunities?

Some people look at a partial glass of milk and complain it’s not full.  Others look at it ad say “That’s enough for me.”  Evidently, there are the same types of people who look at the broadband maps the FCC released.

The FCC looked at the black spots where there was no mobile broadband service, so they saw an opportunity to do something.  They created the Mobility Fund and assigned it to fill in the holes in mobile broadband coverage.

The FCC is holding a reverse auction open to carriers that agree to install 3G or better wireless services in rural areas that are not currently serviced.  Needless to say, bringing wireless broadband to rural areas can be a challenge; a very expensive challenge since remote areas will require the wireless provider to bring a high-speed connection to the remote area.

To meet this challenge the Mobility Fund is holding Auction 901.  The auction will be a reverse auction, starting at a high price and the providers will bid downwards.  The lowest bidder gets the contract and a one-time funding award to cover some of the expenses.

FCC Chairman Genachowski said in the notice “As our new map demonstrates, millions of Americans still live, work, and travel in areas where advanced mobile networks have not been built out. Through the FCC’s Connect America Fund, we’re helping complete our nation’s wired and wireless infrastructure, which will lead to job creation, economic growth, and innovation in the 21st century.”

You can look at the interactive map here.  Do you see holes or opportunities?