FCC Establishes the Digital Opportunity Data Collection and Modernizes the FCC Form 477 Data Program

The Federal Communications Commission adopted additional rules for the Digital Opportunity Data Collection to help ensure that the FCC collects precise and accurate broadband deployment data in its mission to close the digital divide. The new rules specify which fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service providers are required to report availability and/or coverage data, and adopt requirements for reporting speed and latency for fixed technologies. The Order also requires fixed broadband Internet access providers to report whether broadband services are offered to residential and/or business customers. The Order creates standards for collecting broadband deployment data from state, local, and Tribal mapping entities; other federal agencies; and third parties. The Order sets up a process for providers to submit and respond to challenges to fixed and mobile coverage map data. Among other things, it would require mobile service providers to submit, on a case-by-case basis, either infrastructure information or on-the-ground test data as part of the FCC’s investigation and verification of a mobile service provider’s coverage data. This information will also be used to respond to challenges of mobile broadband coverage in a particular area. Mobile providers will be required to submit, for each 4G or 5G propagation map they submit, a set of heat maps showing the signal levels from each active cell site. The Order establishes standards for enforcing data collection requirements. The Order also sets a process for continuing the Form 477 data collection as the FCC transitions to the Digital Opportunity Data Collection.