In $16 Billion Push to Expand Broadband, America Is Flying Through a Fog

The Federal Communications Commission is pushing to spend billions of dollars to close gaps in America's high-speed internet network, but government officials say they don't have a clear picture of where service gaps exist, meaning parts of the country will be left out when it is time to distribute the funds. Citing concerns about the data, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel wants to delay plans to auction $16 billion to internet-service providers this Oct to upgrade broadband infrastructure in rural areas. “You don’t manage problems you cannot measure,” Commissioner Rosenworcel said. She wants the auction delayed until the FCC has accurate maps of existing service areas.

As a Democrat on the Republican-controlled commission, Commissioner Rosenworcel is unlikely to prevail. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says even with the data problems, the auction will benefit many communities and should move forward on schedule. “The choice we face as a nation is simple: Do we help them now, or do we delay relief until we can determine who else needs help, too? To me, rural America has waited long enough,” he said, adding that the FCC can fill in remaining service gaps when it has better data.

Congress passed a law earlier in 2020 ordering the FCC to start collecting better data. But the law removed the agency’s preferred funding source for the work and didn’t appropriate new funding. Lawmakers say they want to get the FCC the money it needs. The HEROES Act, House Democrats’ pandemic-response bill passed on May 15, would give the agency $24 million to improve broadband data. The bill would also speed up funding to some areas. Separately, House Democrats have proposed an additional $80 billion for broadband infrastructure. The GOP-controlled Senate hasn’t taken up any of the proposals.