Federal Communications Commission Research Articles

Mending the Fabric: the Contentious, Collaborative Work of Repairing Broadband Maps

In 2011, the United Nations declared Internet access to be a basic human right. Achieving universal Internet access has been a longstanding goal of governments around the world. In the United States (US), provision depends primarily on decisions made by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) driven essentially by commercial market concerns. To encourage deployment in underserved regions, the US federal government has recently allocated unprecedented funding, with distributions guided by the information in broadband maps, spatial representations of current Internet access and quality published by the Federal Communication Commission. Yet, these maps are known to be inaccurate, especially for populations that are marginalized, such as tribal and rural residents. We are interested in the collaborative and contentious efforts to repair the data contained in broadband maps, and particularly by the efforts of citizen groups and local government to counter claims made by ISPs. In this paper, we study these efforts via interviews of 14 individuals involved in various local and regional roles, in policy, IT, advocacy, and research. We draw upon frameworks of repair and of data activism to ask who does this work and why; what tangible and intangible tools are brought to bear; and how the structural context simultaneously empowers and burdens repair workers. In doing so, we make three contributions: (i) we critique the process and system for broadband map repair for the burdens it places on historically marginalized groups to demonstrate how they have been left out of expansion and how their experiences are otherwise silent in official records; (ii) we bring together analytical concepts from repair and data arenas to examine repair work that is substantially shaped by socio, political, and economic context; and (iii) we illustrate how viewing broadband data workers as activists reveals the inadequacy of current tools and the opportunity for better support for their long-term, contextualized, and mediated efforts.

Polarization-Selective Metamaterial Absorber Using Tailored Y-Shaped SRR for UWB Device and Doppler Navigation Aids Applications

In this paper, we present an unprecedented metamaterial absorber design exhibiting exceptional characteristics in electromagnetic wave absorption. The proposed bent Y-shaped structure, fabricated on an FR-4 substrate with copper patches, showcases remarkable performance across a diverse frequency spectrum. Through exhaustive simulations in CST, this design manifests eight distinct resonant frequencies, achieving absorption rates exceeding 90% at each resonance. The resonances, strategically spanning from L-band (3.728 GHz) through S-band, C-band, X-band, Ku-band, and K-band up to 22.664 GHz, signify unparalleled versatility and efficacy in mitigating electromagnetic radiation. It investigates the equivalent circuit parameters of a proposed metamaterial absorber design, focusing on inductance (L), capacitance (C), and resistance (R). This paper investigates the applications of UWB devices at 3.728 GHz and Doppler navigation aids at the 13.4 GHz frequency as regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. It includes a discussion on near-zero refractive Index Metamaterials (NZRIM), highlighting their potential utilization in achieving extraordinary control over wave behaviour. Notably, the absorber's inherent polarization insensitivity fortifies its adaptability in various applications. Additionally, the metamaterial exhibits near-zero or negative permittivity, altering electric response, while simultaneously demonstrating permeability absolute zero throughout all frequency bands sparking new avenues for exploration and challenging conventional electromagnetic theories.

Deep Learning-Based Emergency Rescue Positioning Technology Using Matching-Map Images

Smartphone-based location estimation technology is becoming increasingly important across various fields. Accurate location estimation plays a critical role in life-saving efforts during emergency rescue situations, where rapid response is essential. Traditional methods such as GPS often face limitations in indoors or in densely built environments, where signals may be obstructed or reflected, leading to inaccuracies. Similarly, fingerprinting-based methods rely heavily on existing infrastructure and exhibit signal variability, making them less reliable in dynamic, real-world conditions. In this study, we analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of different types of wireless signal data and proposed a new deep learning-based method for location estimation that comprehensively integrates these data sources. The core of our research is the introduction of a ‘matching-map image’ conversion technique that efficiently integrates LTE, WiFi, and BLE signals. These generated matching-map images were applied to a deep learning model, enabling highly accurate and stable location estimates even in challenging emergency rescue situations. In real-world experiments, our method, utilizing multi-source data, achieved a positioning success rate of 85.27%, which meets the US FCC’s E911 standards for location accuracy and reliability across various conditions and environments. This makes the proposed approach particularly well-suited for emergency applications, where both accuracy and speed are critical.

Enabling Technologies and Techniques for Floor Identification

Location information has initiated a multitude of applications such as location-based services, health care, emergency response and rescue operations, and assets tracking. A plethora of techniques and technologies have been presented to ensure enhanced location accuracy, both horizontal and vertical. Despite many surveys covering horizontal localization technologies, the literature lacks a comprehensive survey incorporating up-to-date vertical localization approaches. This article provides a detailed survey of different vertical localization techniques such as path loss models, time of arrival, received signal strength, reference signal received power, fingerprinting utilized by WiFi, radio-frequency identification (RFID), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), barometer, inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, and geomagnetic field. The article primarily aims at human localization in indoor environments using smartphones in essence. Besides the localization accuracy, the presented approaches are evaluated in terms of cost, infrastructure dependence, deployment complexity, and sensitivity. We highlight the pros and cons of these approaches and outline future research directions to enhance the accuracy to meet the future needs of floor identification standards set by the Federal Communications Commission.

The impact of digital inequities on salivary gland cancer disparities in the United States.

Technology and internet access have become increasingly integrated into healthcare as the primary platform for health-related information and provider-patient communication. Disparities in access to digital resources exist in the United States and have been shown to impact health outcomes in various head and neck malignancies. Our objective is to evaluate the associations of digital inequity on health outcomes in patients with salivary gland cancer (SGC). The Digital Inequity Index (DII) was developed using 17 census-tract level variables obtained from the American Community Survey and Federal Communications Commission. Variables were categorized as digital infrastructure or sociodemographic (e.g., non-digital) and scored based on relative rankings across all US counties. Scores were assigned to patients from the Surveillance-Epidemiology-End Results (SEER) database diagnosed with SGC between 2013 and 2017 based on county-of-residence. Regressions were performed between DII score and outcomes of surveillance time, survival time, tumor stage at time of diagnosis, and treatment modality. Among 9306 SGC-patients, increased digital inequity was associated with advanced-staging at presentation (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07, p = 0.033), increased odds of chemotherapy receipt (OR: 1.05, CI: 1.01-1.10, p = 0.010), and decreased odds of surgical intervention (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91-0.98, p = 0.003) after accounting for traditional sociodemographic factors. Increased digital inequity was also associated with decreased surveillance time and survival periods. Digital inequity significantly and independently associates with negative health and treatment outcomes in SGC patients, highlighting the importance of directed efforts to address these seldom-investigated drivers of health disparities.

Digital discrimination under disparate impact: A legal and economic analysis

The lack of broadband in many rural and Tribal communities in the U.S. is widely recognized, but there are also claims of a lack of broadband availability in predominantly Minority and urban communities, sometimes labeled digital redlining or digital discrimination. Motivated by such claims, the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 includes a provision addressing digital discrimination and directing the Federal Communications Commission to write rules implementing the statutory provision. The Commission's rules adopt two legal discrimination standards including intentional discrimination (differential treatment) and disparate impact (differential effect). Using data from the Commission's new broadband fabric data, we test for differences in broadband availability between predominantly minority and majority neighborhoods (measured as census block groups) and find no evidence of digital discrimination against minorities.

Comparing Federal Communications Commission and Microsoft Estimates of Broadband Access for Mental Health Video Telemedicine Among Veterans: Retrospective Cohort Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine in health care. However, video telemedicine requires adequate broadband internet speeds. As video-based telemedicine grows, variations in broadband access must be accurately measured and characterized. This study aims to compare the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Microsoft US broadband use data sources to measure county-level broadband access among veterans receiving mental health care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Retrospective observational cohort study using administrative data to identify mental health visits from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, among 1161 VHA mental health clinics. The exposure is county-level broadband percentages calculated as the percentage of the county population with access to adequate broadband speeds (ie, download >25 megabits per second) as measured by the FCC and Microsoft. All veterans receiving VHA mental health services during the study period were included and categorized based on their use of video mental health visits. Broadband access was compared between and within data sources, stratified by video versus no video telemedicine use. Over the 2-year study period, 1,474,024 veterans with VHA mental health visits were identified. Average broadband percentages varied by source (FCC mean 91.3%, SD 12.5% vs Microsoft mean 48.2%, SD 18.1%; P<.001). Within each data source, broadband percentages generally increased from 2019 to 2020. Adjusted regression analyses estimated the change after pandemic onset versus before the pandemic in quarterly county-based mental health visit counts at prespecified broadband percentages. Using FCC model estimates, given all other covariates are constant and assuming an FCC percentage set at 70%, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of county-level quarterly mental video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic was 6.81 times (95% CI 6.49-7.13) the rate before the pandemic. In comparison, the model using Microsoft data exhibited a stronger association (IRR 7.28; 95% CI 6.78-7.81). This relationship held across all broadband access levels assessed. This study found FCC broadband data estimated higher and less variable county-level broadband percentages compared to those estimated using Microsoft data. Regardless of the data source, veterans without mental health video visits lived in counties with lower broadband access, highlighting the need for accurate broadband speeds to prioritize infrastructure and intervention development based on the greatest community-level impacts. Future work should link broadband access to differences in clinical outcomes.

Closed Captions en español. Live Captioning Quality in Spanish-language Newscasts in the U.S.

The broadcasting landscape in the United States includes a limited number of Spanish-speaking networks that serve the Hispanic community. As part of the accessibility regulations in place, the Federal Communications Commission issued the first closed captioning quality rules in 2014, which apply in the same manner to English and Spanish pre-recorded and live programming. Over the last few years, comprehensive studies assessing the quality of closed captioned broadcasts have begun to emerge, either led by or in collaboration with Media Accessibility researchers. These kinds of projects have shed some light on the strengths and weaknesses of current live closed captions, and have gathered valuable data that may be used to improve the training of practitioners. This article presents the main findings of the first study aimed at assessing the quality of the closed captions that accompany Spanish-language programming in the United States. By focusing on the national newscasts, it discusses the completeness, placement, accuracy and synchronicity of the closed captioning in Spanish currently delivered on television. Results show excellent completeness and placement, an average captioning speed aligned to the existing guidelines, and improvable delay and accuracy under the NER model.

The Virus Gone Viral: The October 4th Conspiracy, “X”, and Post-Truth

On October 4th, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) conducted a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, broadcasting a message to all consumer cell phones in the United States; This routine test became the catalyst for a baseless conspiracy theory involving 5G, wave frequencies, and zombies within the anti-vaccine community and gained significant traction online. In the context of a post-truth world, the proliferation of such dangerous misinformation warrants an examination of the role played by social media platforms, particularly "X" (formerly "Twitter"), in disseminating the October 4th Zombie conspiracy theory. This study explores how social media facilitates the dissemination and perpetuation of groundless theories devoid of objective truth within like-minded communities, and utilizes content analysis, discourse analysis, and an examination of user engagement with October 4th-related content on "X". What is found is that the rise of this conspiracy theory is largely attributed to the nature of the “X” algorithm: whether engaged with positively or negatively, engagement pushes content regardless of the nature of the post and therefore enables the widespread of the conspiracy theory across the platform to be viewed by millions. Thus, these findings bring forth the question of who is responsible for regulating informational versus misinformational discourse if we live in a post-truth era.

Wideband meander-line-antipodal-vivaldi slot-antenna for millimeter-wave applications

An antipodal Vivaldi monopole radiator is employed in an innovative wideband planar slotted meander antenna. A quarter-wave microstrip feed is coupled to the antenna for a ground reflector plane over a meander line with five right and left antipodal Vivaldi (RLAV) slots on either side and a series of Z, inverted U and inverted Z-shaped turns. The FR4 substrate with a relative permittivity of 4.4 and modest dimensions of 50 × 20 × 1.6 mm3 is used to implement the proposed antenna. A 17.39% fractional bandwidth of -29.10dB (S11 <-10dB), an average radiation efficiency of 73%, and a gain of 6.7dBi at the central frequency of 28GHz. The outcomes of using RLAV arms at the centre of the meander structure enhance the antenna’s performance validated using the high-frequency structural software Ansys 2022R1, which is a finite element method (FEM) tool. The measured results indicate that the bandwidth enhancement has been fine-tuned for use in the 5G millimetre wave band in the Frequency Range 2 (FR2) n261 frequencies, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) band n257, and the Federal Communications Commission’s (5G) high-band spectrum (25-30GHz).

The Association of Broadband Internet Use With Drug Overdose Mortality Rates in the United States: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

The availability and use of broadband internet play an increasingly important role in health care and public health. This study examined the associations between broadband internet availability and use with drug overdose deaths in the United States. We linked 2019 county-level drug overdose death data in restricted-access multiple causes of death files from the National Vital Statistics System at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the 2019 county-level broadband internet rollout data from the Federal Communications Commission and the 2019 county-level broadband usage data available from Microsoft's Airband Initiative. Cross-sectional analysis was performed with the fixed-effects regression method to assess the association of broadband internet availability and usage with opioid overdose deaths. Our model also controlled for county-level socioeconomic characteristics and county-level health policy variables. Overall, a 1% increase in broadband internet use was linked with a 1.2% increase in overall drug overdose deaths. No significant association was observed for broadband internet availability. Although similar positive associations were found for both male and female populations, the association varied across different age subgroups. The positive association on overall drug overdose deaths was the greatest among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White populations. Broadband internet use was positively associated with increased drug overdose deaths among the overall US population and some subpopulations, even after controlling for broadband availability, sociodemographic characteristics, unemployment, and median household income.

A compact ultra-wide band fractal antenna for breast cancer detection applications

A compact ultra-wide band antenna for breast cancer detection in bio-medical applications is presented in this study. The proposed antenna is printed on 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.6 and tangential loss of 0.02. The uniform ground plane on the substrate (PCB) has been altered by shortening its length and making minimal changes to its side edges in order to improve overall bandwidth. The suggested antenna is functioning from 3 to 10.2 GHz which covers the ultra-wide band recommended by Federal Communication Commission (FCC) over the 10 dB impedance bandwidth. Additionally, the antenna has a significant overall gain of 3.2 dBi and an overall radiation efficiency of between 89 % and 92 %. Furthermore, the antenna maintains a uniform radiation pattern across its operating band. Parametric research has been conducted on the different parameters to tune the antenna into the required operating band, and placement analysis of the antenna is then investigated by assessing specific absorption rate (SAR).

Do Gigabits Mean Business? “Ultra-Fast” broadband availability's effect on business births

Recent U.S. broadband programs prioritize high-speed infrastructure with download speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or more. Some internet providers have already built broadband networks capable of gigabit speeds (1000 Mbps) and more of this infrastructure is likely forthcoming due to increased federal support. The availability of this “ultra-fast” internet may have important implications for business creation. Business-level data from Data Axle is combined with the Federal Communication Commission's Form 477 broadband availability data and aggregated to the census block group level to form a six-year panel from 2015 to 2020. We examine the effects of three thresholds of broadband speed availability on business births per 10,000 population in eight U.S. states using an event study design. Results suggest that 100+ Mbps availability increases business births for at least up to five years after being introduced. The impacts are largest in metro block groups and for select industries. Relative to block groups treated at the 100 Mbps level, access to 250 Mbps shows additional benefits for business creation; however, the results for gigabit speed provision are less conclusive. This may change as technology continues to evolve and ultra-fast speed becomes more necessary for business operations.

Evaluation and SAR Analysis of Low Frequency and Broadband Electric Field Exposure Measurement Values in the Home Environment

In this study, the effective value of low-frequency (50 Hz) and high-frequency (700–2500 MHz) broadband electric field exposures was measured for 24 h in four different selected environments in a house. All the statistical values of 1000 data points recorded with two measuring devices for 24 h in each environment are calculated, the most appropriate curves are fitted to the data, and the curves are plotted by expressing their changes with respect to time. All statistical and parametric values of the density and cumulative probability functions of the curves are calculated and plotted. In broadband measurements, the broadband is divided into fifteen sub-bands, but the data are available in only six of these sub-bands. The six-layer human head model is created by using the middle frequencies of the six sub-bands used, and taking the permittivity (εr) and conductivity (σ) of each layer into consideration. The specific absorption rate (SAR) value in the brain is calculated by using the total transmission coefficient of six layers. The SAR value surrounding the head is obtained. These SAR values are interpreted by considering the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Community European (CE) occupational and general public SAR limits.

An Ultra-Wideband Antenna with Triple Band-Notched Characteristics for Wearable Application

This work presents a compact UWB antenna with triple band-notched at WiMAX (3.2 GHz to 3.7 GHz), C-band (3.7 GHz to 4.2 GHz) and WLAN (5.15 GHz to 5.35 GHz) for wearable applications. The UWB antenna is fabricated on a semi-flexible thin FR-4 substrate. In order to reduce the complexity, only two slots are introduced on the radiating patch instead of three slots to reject each narrow band frequency. In this case, one slot rejects a combination of WiMAX and C-band and the other slot rejects the WLAN frequency band. The UWB antenna on the thin FR-4 material has an overall size of 21×16 mm2, which is very compact and thus, suitable for wearable applications without causing discomfort when worn on-body. Although the antenna is small in size, the performance is not compromised. The UWB antenna has the frequency range from 2.51 GHz to 12.09 GHz, maximum radiation efficiency of 100% and maximum gain of 4 dBi. Nevertheless, the antenna is able to reject the WiMAX and C-band as well as the WLAN band. The simulated specific absorption rate (SAR) results show that the antenna complies with the SAR limit Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protections (ICNIRP) standards for 1 mW input power. Bending investigations performed on different diameters of Styrofoam cylinders shows that the frequency range and the notch bands are not very much affected.

A compact linearly polarized RLSA antenna integrated with circular ring resonator (CRR) for 5G mm-wave applications

This article introduces a compact linearly polarized (LP) radial line slot array antenna (RSLA) that incorporates a metamaterial of circular ring resonator (CRR) reflector for improving the bandwidth. Hence, this enables the antenna to operate at n257 (26.5–29.5), n258(24.25–27.5), and n261(27.5–28.35) frequency bands which are standardized by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with a minor reduction of the directivity. Due to the short wavelength of the millimeter wave bands, the technique of the RLSA design has been advantageous for achieving high gain. The prototype of the RLSA antenna and the metamaterial CRR reflector are designed and fabricated at 28 GHz resonance frequency utilizing Rogers 5880 substrate and fed using an SSMA coaxial connector with an air gap cavity equivalent to half guide wavelength (λg/2) between substrate and ground plane. The method of integrating the CRR reflector with the LP-RLSA antenna delivered a passband transmission operating at (22–29.5) GHz. The proposed antenna has a similar agreement between simulated and measured for directivity and bandwidth. it achieved a peak directivity of 20 dB with a squinted main lobe at 12° and a fractional bandwidth of 29.13%. The fabricated RLSA antenna dimensions are 130 mm × 130 mm × 10.65 mm which is compact compared to conventional RLSA antennas.

Field encouraged about FCC proposal to improve routing of 988 crisis calls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), along with lawmakers and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, last month proposed that wireless calls to the 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline be routed to ensure that callers in crisis have access to behavioral health resources in the state or territory from which they are calling to ensure privacy.

County-Level Cardiac Rehabilitation and Broadband Availability: Opportunities for Hybrid Care in the United States.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves patient outcomes and quality of life and can be provided virtually through hybrid CR. However, little is known about CR availability in conjunction with broadband access, a requirement for hybrid CR. This study examined the intersection of CR and broadband availability at the county level, nationwide. Data were gathered and analyzed in 2022 from the 2019 American Community Survey, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Federal Communications Commission. Spatially adaptive floating catchments were used to calculate county-level percent CR availability among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Counties were categorized: by CR availability, whether lowest (ie, CR deserts), medium, or highest; and by broadband availability, whether CR deserts with majority-available broadband, or dual deserts. Results were stratified by state. County-level characteristics were examined for statistical significance by CR availability category. Almost half of US adults (n = 116 325 976, 47.2%) lived in CR desert counties (1691 counties). Among adults in CR desert counties, 96.8% were in CR deserts with majority-available broadband (112 626 906). By state, the percentage of the adult population living in CR desert counties ranged from 3.2% (New Hampshire) to 100% (Hawaii and Washington, DC). Statistically significant differences in county CR availability existed by race/ethnicity, education, and income. Almost half of US adults live in CR deserts. Given that up to 97% of adults living in CR deserts may have broadband access, implementation of hybrid CR programs that include a telehealth component could expand CR availability to as many as 113 million US adults.

Incentive Auction Design Alternatives: A Simulation Study

This paper revisits the descending clock “reverse” auction design used in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s 2016–2017 “incentive auction.” We use extensive computational simulations to investigate the quantitative significance of various aspects of the design, leveraging a reverse auction simulator and realistic models of bidder values. This paper was accepted by Gabriel Weintraub, revenue management and market analytics. Funding: This work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [Grant FA8750-19-2-0222 CFDA\# 12.910], the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research [Canada AI Research Chair at the Alberta Machine In], the National Science Foundation [Grant 1525730], and the Canadian Network for Research and Innovation in Machining Technology, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Discovery Grant, Discovery Grant Supplement]. Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2020.02489 .

Impact of the National Suicide Hotline Number on Care of Outpatient Psychiatric Patients

Background: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has selected 988 as the number for mental health crisis and this came into effect in July 2022. It is not clear how aware psychiatric patients are of this event, and how much impact this will have on outpatient psychiatric care. Methods: Prior to the introduction of 988, the authors performed a study of patients attending the outpatient psychiatric clinic at the department of psychiatry’s outpatient services. The study comprised of a one-page questionnaire to acquire qualitative and quantitative data on patients’ knowledge and acceptance of the change in the access of the suicide prevention number. Results: A total of 74 outpatient psychiatric patients were surveyed during the course of the study. Most (87.8%) of surveyed individuals denied memorisation of their local mental health crisis or suicide prevention hotline number. Of the 24 individuals who reported previously having called a crisis hotline, over one-third (37.5%) reported difficulty remembering or finding the number. In response to the introduction of a three-digit crisis hotline number, 63.5% (47) of surveyed individuals reported both increased confidence in receiving prompt, effective psychiatric care, and greater likelihood of seeking help with the three-digit number. Finally, 77.0% (57) stated that a three-digit number would be more easily remembered than current options. The majority (89%) of responders were not aware of the 988 hotline number. Conclusion: Patients believe the 988 number will be a helpful tool in their care. One year after its introduction, awareness of 988 has barely changed.