Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Push FCC for Improved Broadband Mapping to Ensure Internet Access for Marylanders

The Maryland Congressional Delegation sent a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to update and improve Maryland’s broadband mapping data based on the state's Office of Statewide Broadband’s comments on the National Broadband Map. The Office of Statewide Broadband (OSB) found approximately 3,800 addresses incorrectly identified as serviceable by internet service providers (ISPs) compared to the state’s information on unserved locations. The OSB submitted feedback as part of the challenge process to improve the accuracy of the FCC’s service availability data. This challenge process is a key component in creating a reliable dataset to determine the allocation of billions of dollars in broadband funding from the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The OSB and other state broadband agencies report that extended challenge time would allow for a more thorough analysis and identification of additional unserved households. The stakes are high: Inaccurate data will result in unfair funding allocations. As such, we ask the FCC to consider reviewing additional data from states through the end of March.