SHLB Meets with FCC Broadband Data Task Force

The American Library Association and the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition spoke with the Federal Communications Commission's Broadband Data Task Force staff and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s advisor on Feb. 6, 2023 about including community anchor institutions (CAIs) on the FCC’s National Broadband Map. The groups expressed concerns about the current treatment of libraries and said CAIs that purchase mass-market broadband service should be included on the map. They asserted the FCC’s fabric and the map make the inaccurate assumption CAIs purchase custom broadband service and are classified as not broadband serviceable simply because E-rate Program participants are required to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for service. They recommended the presumption should be CAIs in rural areas purchase mass-market service and designated as broadband serviceable locations in the next version of the map’s underlying fabric, with the ability for broadband providers to prove otherwise.