Definition[]
In connection with the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an underserved area is a broadband service area, where at least one of the following factors is met: (1) no more than 50% of the households in the last mile or middle mile service area have access to facilities-based, terrestrial broadband service at greater than the minimum broadband transmission speed; (2) no fixed or mobile terrestrial broadband service provider advertises broadband transmission speeds of at least three megabits per second (Mbps) downstream in the last mile or middle mile service area; (3) the rate of terrestrial broadband subscribership for the last mile or middle mile service area is 40% of households or less.
Overview[]
The availability of or subscribership rates for satellite broadband service is not considered for the purpose of determining whether an area is underserved.