The FCC’s Broadband Deployment Report states that 21.3 million Americans, or 6.5 percent of the population, lack access to broadband internet, including wired and fixed wireless connections. This figure relies upon semi-annual self-reporting by internet service providers using the FCC-mandated “Form 477.”
However, there is a widely acknowledged flaw with Form 477 reporting: if an ISP offers service to at least one household in a census block, then the FCC counts the entire census block as covered by that provider. BroadbandNow Research examined the magnitude of this flaw by manually checking internet availability using FCC data as the source of truth for randomly selected addresses.
Based on our research, we estimate that 42 million Americans do not have access to wired or fixed wireless broadband.
RTFA to understand the details. Based on my reading, the FCC is incompetent or simply doesn’t care about truthful reporting.
Or both.
Eideard 
The abilities and attitude of the trump-era FCC are epitomized by the demonstrated attitude of current chairman Ajit Pai, that he knows what is best for the “people” and the “people” don’t include anybody who hasn’t previously employed him.
FCC helps Charter avoid broadband competition https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/06/fcc-helps-charter-avoid-broadband-competition/
Meanwhile: Despite a member of the Federal Communications Commission announcing a willingness to issue a pause order on Ligado Networks, the chances of the FCC reversing itself in its support for the company are almost nonexistent, according to a commission source. https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2020/06/26/fcc-unlikely-to-grant-stay-or-vote-again-on-ligado/
Ajit Pai touted false broadband data despite clear signs it wasn’t accurate : “The FCC should fine itself”: Pai relied on ISP’s impossible deployment claims. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/09/ajit-pai-touted-false-broadband-data-despite-clear-signs-it-wasnt-accurate/
“Ajit Pai says he’ll help Trump impose crackdown on Twitter and Facebook : As Trump requested, Pai proposes to limit social media websites’ legal immunity.” https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/10/ajit-pai-says-hell-help-trump-impose-crackdown-on-twitter-and-facebook/
“Trump’s attempt to punish social media websites like Twitter and Facebook for alleged anti-conservative bias landed at the FCC because Trump had the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) petition the FCC to issue a new interpretation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230
Chairman Pai Statement on Section 230 (October 10, 2020) https://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-pai-statement-section-230
Ajit Pai apparently mismanaged $9 billion fund—new FCC boss starts “cleanup”
Starlink and other ISPs may have to give up money that Pai shouldn’t have awarded.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/07/ajit-pai-apparently-mismanaged-9-billion-fund-new-fcc-boss-starts-cleanup/
“FCC Makes Available Over $311 Million For Broadband In 36 States, While Taking Steps To Clean Up The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Program” https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-over-311-million-broadband-acts-clean-rdof