FCC Seeks Input on Mobile Challenge, Verification Technical Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB), the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) are implementing the requirements of the Broadband DATA Act to improve the FCC's data on broadband availability. To implement the Broadband DATA Act’s requirements and obtain better mobile broadband availability data, these Bureau and Offices are developing: (1) technical requirements for a challenge process that will enable consumers and other third parties to dispute service providers’ coverage data; (2) a process to verify service providers’ coverage data; and (3) a process to accept crowdsourced information from third parties. These measures will enable the FCC, Congress, other federal and state policymakers, Tribal entities, consumers, and other third parties to verify and supplement the data collected by the FCC on the status of broadband availability throughout the United States.

The FCC seeks comment on proposed technical requirements to implement the mobile challenge, verification, and crowdsourcing processes required by the Broadband DATA Act. These requirements include the metrics to be collected for on-the-ground test data and a methodology for determining the threshold for what constitutes a cognizable challenge requiring a provider response. This Public Notice also provides tentative views and seeks comment on the types of data that likely will be probative in different circumstances for validating broadband availability data submitted by mobile service providers. 

[WC Docket No. 19-195. Filing deadlines pending Federal Register publication]