Chairman Pai Responds to Members of Congress Regarding Broadband Mapping, Describes New FCC Order

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai sent letters to Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jon Tester (D-MT), and Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) on July 31, 2019, and August 1, 2019, in response to their letters expressing concern with broadband mapping. Chairman Pai agreed updated and accurate broadband deployment data is critical to bridging the digital divide and said the FCC will consider an order at the FCC’s August Open Meeting that would result in more granular and accurate broadband maps through the creation of the digital opportunity data collection. Chairman Pai said these updated maps would be used to focus funding to expand broadband through future initiatives such as the second phase of the proposed rural digital opportunity fund.