FCC poised to give broadband deployment a failing grade

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to report this year that broadband providers are not deploying services in a reasonable and timely way to all Americans. 

FCC and industry officials said this year's 706 report, which is on circulation at the agency, will reach a conclusion similar to last year, finding the speed of broadband deployment unsatisfactory. 

The FCC gave broadband deployment a failing grade in 2010 after years of ruling that services were spreading quickly enough. 

The agency has since cited the 2010 findings to justify instances of government intervention. It used the report to help provide a legal basis for its net-neutrality regulations passed in December. 

This year's findings could rile House Republicans as well as phone and cable companies, who panned the FCC's findings last year.

“I am perplexed by the FCC report's conclusion," Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) said of last year's report. "According to the FCC’s own analysis in the broadband plan, approximately 95 percent of the country has access to broadband and two-thirds subscribe. Almost 200 million people have signed up in the last 10 years."

Industry and FCC officials said it's unclear when the report will be voted on and released. Commissioners can cast their votes while it's in circulation, or the chairman's office can force a vote by raising the issue at a monthly meeting. 

Industry and agency officials said they expect the votes to mirror last year's. In 2010, GOP commissioners voted against the findings, while Democrats were supportive.