Vantage Point Suggests Changes to Improve Form 477 Broadband Data

Vantage Point Solutions (VPS) met with the Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau staff on March 14, 2019 to discuss Form 477 broadband data. VPS said broadband providers need an opportunity to analyze Form 477 reports to identify potential errors and correct them before the FCC makes key decisions on the 477 data, like Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) II offers. VPS provided some short‐term recommendations to correct known Form 477 errors that could be implemented prior to the A‐CAM II offers, such as allowing a 30-to 45-day window to allow Form 477 corrections that would not involve a challenge process. VPS also recommended several longer‐term changes to the Form 477 process to help minimize 477 errors and maximize broadband deployment.