Reps Loebsack, Latta, Long, McEachin Introduce Legislation to Improve Broadband Data Maps

Reps Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) introduced legislation that would improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband availability maps. The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act (HR 4229) will improve the accuracy of FCC broadband data maps by changing the way broadband data is collected. The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Billy Long (R-MO) and Donald McEachin (D-VA). Legislation similar to the Broadband DATA Act has been introduced in the Senate by Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Gary Peters (D-MI), and John Thune (RSD). The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act:

• Requires the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers.
• Requires strong parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy.
• Asks the FCC to consider whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities.
• Creates a process for consumers, state, local, and Tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data, and requires the FCC to determine how to structure the process without making it overly burdensome on challengers.

Additionally, Reps McEachin and Long introduced the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services (MAPS) Act (HR 4227) which will help hold broadband providers accountable by making it against the law to knowingly provide inaccurate data to the FCC. Reps. Loebsack and Latta also cosponsored this bill.