New Legislation to Address Flawed Broadband Mapping

Rep Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19) announced a package of legislation aimed at addressing flawed broadband mapping practices and increasing speed standards in rural communities. Additionally, one of Rep. Delgado’s proposals would empower local communities to accurately assess who has access to broadband and at what speeds and who has been left behind by the digital divide. The legislative package is comprised of two bills that empower communities to improve flawed broadband mapping procedures. The first, the Broadband Speed Act would require internet service providers to annually report data to the Federal Communications Commission that shows the actual speeds they are capable of providing, as opposed to what they can potentially provide within 7-10 business days. This will help demonstrate to the FCC where broadband service is actually matching the speeds being advertised, and where there are still gaps in service. It would also require that new FCC funding awards be built out at speeds of 100 mbps or higher to ensure that they are built to last.

The second bill, the Community Broadband Mapping Act, would allow local governments, electric/telephone cooperatives, economic development/community groups and small internet providers to access Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Service broadband programs for grant funding that would allow them to collect information on local broadband service. This will allow communities who are currently incorrectly designated by the FCC as having service to take action to have the information necessary to dispute that status with the FCC in any future challenge process at the FCC or at the state level.