Three federal watchdog agencies have released an expanded online tool that allows the public and government investigators to track more than $111 billion in federal broadband investments and compare them with internet availability across the country.
The inspectors general for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Commerce and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) jointly developed the third version of the Broadband Data Stroll, an interactive mapping and data platform designed to improve oversight of federal broadband programs.
The latest version was issued Sept. 30. It incorporates hundreds of millions of data points on broadband funding and service availability, according to the agencies.
Users can examine federal broadband awards geographically, compare funding from multiple agencies in the same area and track changes in broadband availability over time. The tool can also identify broadband-serviceable locations and areas that lack adequate terrestrial internet service.
The latest version includes data from the Department of the Treasury in addition to information associated with USDA, Commerce and FCC programs.
The USDA said the agencies intend to use data analytics and mapping to assess federal spending as broadband infrastructure expands nationwide.
The tool arrives as billions of dollars authorized for broadband expansion move from planning toward construction and deployment.
Among the programs represented is the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program administered by the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Congress provided $42.45 billion for BEAD as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand high-speed internet access. Commerce’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has separately conducted a series of audits and evaluations of NTIA’s broadband grant programs.
The FCC said the public can use the platform to track changes in broadband availability in individual communities, while inspectors general can use the underlying data to identify opportunities for coordinated oversight.
The project dates to September 2023, when USDA OIG and Commerce OIG developed the first Broadband Data Stroll using public information from USDA, Commerce and the FCC. Its purpose was to provide visualizations of federal broadband programs and infrastructure funding.
The agencies released a second version in January 2025, developed by USDA OIG in partnership with Commerce OIG and FCC OIG.
Version 3 streamlines the platform’s layout and adds updated awards data, new mapping capabilities and tools for comparing investments across federal agencies.
The platform is also intended to help inspectors general identify possible duplication, funding gaps and other areas warranting review as agencies oversee the federal government’s broadband investments.
Photo by Usen Parmanov from Pexels
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