Any Objections? NTIA Requests Access to FCC's Broadband Data

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is evaluating applications and comments to the applications that it has received from broadband service providers in its administration of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). NTIA requested access to the Form 477 data that the Federal Communications Commission collects from broadband service providers for the purpose of facilitating that evaluation. The Commission collects information about broadband connections to end user locations, wired and wireless local telephone services, and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in individual states on FCC Form 477. The Commission allows filers to request confidential treatment for competitively sensitive information in a particular Form 477 submission by making the appropriate selection on the cover page of Form 477. Pursuant to the Commission's regulations, affected parties have until December 7, 2009 to oppose disclosure to NTIA of the Form 477 data that the Commission collects from broadband service providers. If the Commission receives no opposition from affected parties by that date, the Commission will disclose the information requested above to NTIA. If disclosure is opposed, the procedures set forth in FCC rules shall apply.