On June 30, the Federal Communications Commission opened the first ever window to collect information from broadband providers in every state and territory about precisely where they provide broadband services. September 2 marked the close of this first data collection window—the next important step forward in our efforts to build more accurate broadband maps, which are much-needed, long overdue, and mandated by Congress. I wanted to give everyone a quick update on what we’ve done, what we’re announcing today, and what people can expect in the months ahead. This is just some of what the FCC has done: We reached out and talked to broadband leaders in over 50 states and territories to offer to help walk them through this process. We reached out to every provider on the phone and over e-mail to encourage filings, explain the process, and offer technical assistance. And we partnered with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on additional outreach to connect with providers and state broadband leaders.

Now, we have completed the first filing window for submitting data on where broadband service is and is not available. For the first time ever, we have collected extensive location-by-location data on precisely where broadband services are available, and now we are ready to get to work and start developing new and improved broadband maps. We are targeting November 2022 for the release of the first draft of the map. The Fabric challenge process will begin in ten days. Once the maps are released, we will open a process for the public and other stakeholders to make challenges directly through the map interface. When the first draft is released, it will provide a far more accurate picture of broadband availability in the United States than our old maps ever did. That’s worth celebrating. But our work will in no way be done. That’s because these maps are iterative. They are designed to be updated, refined, and improved over time.

Indiana  Attorney General Todd Rokita announced a $15 million settlement with Frontier Communications to ensure that Hoosiers receive the services for which they have paid. The settlement especially benefits residents living in rural communities. In May 2021, Attorney General Rokita sued Frontier Communications alleging they violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act. The Federal Trade Commission and several other states also sued the company. Specifically, the lawsuit argued the company misrepresented internet speeds and reliability to consumers. Frontier Communications has entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance agreement to pay $15 million over a period of four years to improve internet infrastructure in Indiana. The agreement also requires Frontier to review service speeds and provide options to consumers to reduce service plans (and costs) if their current plans promise higher speeds than those provided. Frontier also must change their advertising efforts to accurately represent to Indiana consumers both the availability and reliability of their internet service.  

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 2,670 homes and small businesses in rural Jefferson County (TX). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1.2 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately 1 million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states in the coming years. “[This] announcement is great news for residents in Jefferson County who lacked a broadband connection at home until now,” said Texas State Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-TX). “Spectrum’s high-speed broadband will bring economic opportunity to this community.”