Pioneering Digital Equity.
The X-Lab maps, engineers, researches, analyzes, and evaluates. We are the first step for anyone working on state, regional, municipal, tribal, rural, or community broadband deployments.
The Cost of Inaction: Pennsylvania's Broken Broadband Governance
A new report co-authored by X-Lab director Sascha Meinrath finds Pennsylvania has left $449M in federal broadband funding unallocated while 130,000+ locations remain unconnected. The report outlines 8 key reforms the state must adopt.
Published
June 2026
Authors
Christopher Ali, David Elliot Berman, Sydney Forde, Aaron Hyzen, Sascha Meinrath, Abby Simmerman
Broadband Mapping
X-Lab provides fast, accurate broadband mapping and GIS for broadband needs assessments, geospatial and infrastructure assessments, engineering and deployment planning, and funding and grant writing. Our tools overlay broadband speed and latency measurements with Census data, demonstrating geographic and demographic differentials in access and service.
Digital Privacy & Surveillance
Our team helped create the Open Technology Fund — the largest funder of open source circumvention technology on the planet. We engage in bipartisan work with Congress through the Civil Liberties Coalition and the Fourth Amendment Caucus to fight against AI surveillance and data-mining.
Democracy Initiatives
Our team has consulted extensively with U.S. and global leaders on election security and supported pro-democracy movements abroad with expertise in circumvention technologies. We were an early leader in internet and communications technologies for development.
Applied Technology
Moving beyond theory, we build open-source software and hardware solutions that bridge the digital divide. Since 2006, X-Lab's team has developed many of the methods and technologies that have become de facto standards in the broadband mapping industry.
Broadband Affordability
Our team developed the first Broadband Nutrition Label in 2009 to standardize consumer disclosures by ISPs. We partnered with Consumer Reports and dozens of public interest groups on the Broadband Together Initiative, identifying massive pricing discrepancies — including differentiated pricing of the same service in the same neighborhood by up to 40%.
Evaluating Digital Equity
We frequently serve as an evaluator on digital equity and connectivity projects. Our evaluation work has covered major cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and New York City, across Indian Country, and internationally in Tunisia, Turkey, Syria, Dharamshala, South Africa, Ghana, and more.
Community Networking
Our team are pioneers in community broadband, building networks for twenty-five years across North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. We are past founders of Commotion Wireless — a decentralized mesh wireless 'internet-in-a-suitcase' project deployed in Detroit and Red Hook, NY, where it became critical in FEMA emergency response after Hurricane Sandy.
Our Methodology
At The X-Lab, we believe that technical solutions are only half the battle. Our projects combine deep field research, policy analysis, and custom-built technology to address systemic inequities.
Data-Driven Research
We collect and analyze raw network data to provide an accurate picture of the digital landscape. Our broadband mapping platforms are built on open-technology stacks and open access data — powerful enough for federal agencies yet intuitive enough for constituents to use at the household level.
Policy Advocacy
Our findings are translated into actionable policy recommendations for federal and local governments. Government agencies including the FCC, NTIA, state governments, and countless local entities leverage the platforms and methodologies pioneered by X-Lab.
Have a challenge for us?
We partner with universities, governments, and NGOs to solve complex digital infrastructure problems.
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