Technology Policy Institute says FCC challenge process is important for getting accurate maps: Broadband Breakfast

Washington, June 30, 2022 – On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission officially opened its new system to collect broadband service information from more than 2,500 broadband providers.

Broadband data collection “marks [the FCC’s] Window collects location-by-location data from the providers we will use to build the map,” the FCC chairman said Jessica Rosenworcel in a press release.

Screenshot of Bill Price, VP of Government Solutions at LightBox

Broadband providers will be required to provide availability statements and supporting data. Supporting data will include sections such as “Propagation Modelling Information” and “Linked Budget Information”. Submission deadline is September 1.

Rosenworcel said the agency had established consistent parameters for broadband providers to submit data using geocoded locations, which would “allow for [the FCC] Creating a highly accurate map of fixed broadband deployment, unlike previous data collections that focused on census tracts, gave us inaccurate, incomplete maps. “

Armed with this information, the FCC will build a common dataset of locations in the U.S. where fixed broadband service can be installed, called a “structure.” Rosenworcel said this structure would serve as “the basis on which all fixed broadband availability data will be reported and overlaid in our new broadband availability map”.

Once the map is complete, government entities and internet service providers will be given a challenge window where availability claims may be challenged based on submitted data.

Rosenworcel has previously said the revamped broadband map will be available in the fall.

States are expected to scramble to verify the claims after they are released, panelists at the Broadband Breakfast online live event on Wednesday said. States will engage in individually challenging processes and are expected to provide information on availability through individual speed tests.

States are right to want the maps because they can serve as a broadband investment decision-making tool, he said. bill price, VP of Government Solutions at LightBox, a data platform that helps states build broadband maps. This means that many states are committed to obtaining accurate local coverage data to leverage federal and state funding.

Our Broadband Breakfast live stream will be held on Wednesday at 12pm ET. Watch the event at Broadband Breakfast, or sign up here to join the conversation.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 12pm ET – Broadband Mapping and Data

Now that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Funding Opportunity Notice has been issued, attention turns to a core activity that must take place before broadband infrastructure funding is allocated: the FCC’s updated broadband map. These address-level maps from the FCC will determine the allocation of funds among states and serve as a key source of truth under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act implemented by NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Our panelists will also consider the role of state-level maps, the NTIA challenge process, and other topics. Join the broadband breakfast as we return to one of the topics we know best: broadband data and mapping.

team member:

  • bill priceVice President, Government Solutions, LightBox
  • Dustin LoopMarconi Society National Broadband Mapping Consortium Program Manager
  • Ryan GuthrieVice President, Solutions Engineering, ATS
  • Drew Clark (Moderator), Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Group Member Resources:

bill price, Vice President of Government Solutions, responsible for the government’s LightBox broadband data and mapping solutions. Bill has over 40 years of experience in the development and operation of telecommunications and technology services. His track record includes delivering a statewide location-level broadband map of Georgia, the nation’s first fiber metro network, and launching BellSouth’s Internet service. Combining proven, leading-edge GIS and big data technologies, LightBox changes the way broadband infrastructure planning and investment decisions are made.

Dustin Loop Is the Internet Governance and Policy and Program Manager Specialist for the National Broadband Mapping Consortium at the Marconi Association. Much of his work has focused on improving digital inclusion and establishing transparent, open source, and publicly verifiable mapping methods and standards.

Ryan Guthrie is Vice President of Solutions Engineering at Advanced Technologies & Services. He joined ATS in 2006 and has been involved in all aspects of the business, from sales and marketing to solution design and implementation. Ryan also manages regulatory solutions for ATS and is deeply involved in federally funded broadband projects by assisting ISPs with performance measurement testing compliance.

Drew Clark is the editor and publisher of BroadbandBreakfast.com and a nationally recognized telecommunications lawyer. Drew brings together experts and practitioners to advance the benefits broadband offers. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, he served as director of the state’s broadband program, the Connected Illinois Partnership. He is also chairman of the Rural Telecom Conference.

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