FCC is Taking Steps to Accurately Map Locations That Lack Access

To help close the digital divide, federal programs provide funding to support broadband deployment in unserved areas. According to the Federal Communications Commission, these programs rely on data the FCC collects from broadband providers to identify which areas are and are not served to target their limited funds. This report describes the FCC's progress in developing a location fabric and the challenges stakeholders identified that the FCC faces in doing so. The GAO reviewed relevant documents; surveyed officials in 54 states and territories; and interviewed officials from data companies, broadband providers, federal agencies, and states. Stakeholders said that the FCC's challenges can be overcome by using multiple sources of data. The four key data types to be used are:

1. County parcel data to identify property boundaries;
2. County tax data for property type (agricultural, residential and commercial);
3. Building Footprints for building location and shape to verify its use; and
4. Addresses with geocoordinates (broadband serviceable locations).