LightBox CEO says more states are taking broadband mapping into their own hands

With billions in federal broadband funding already in hand and more on the way, a significant number of states are looking to map internet coverage within their borders to get a better understanding of where help is needed according to LightBox CEO Eric Frank. LightBox provides a geospatial mapping service and was previously tapped by officials in Georgia and Alabama to help create detailed broadband coverage maps. Recently, Montana also selected LightBox to help it get a more accurate picture of the broadband landscape there. Frank said these states are far from alone in pursuing mapping initiatives, noting “at least a dozen” states have recently issued requests for proposals (RFPs) for such projects. He added LightBox has been having conversations with other states who haven’t quite made it to the RFP phase but are still gathering information on how best to approach mapping and other broadband issues. The push among the states comes as the Federal Communications Commission works to create new broadband coverage maps which will be used to help distribute billions in recently allocated federal broadband funding. The CEO added the interest from the states has sparked inbound inquiries from the telecommunications industry. In these cases, companies are looking for insights that can be used for marketing or strategy purposes, for instance to assess an addressable market or what their share of a market is.