Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Rep. Good Regarding Broadband Data Collection

On May 3, Rep Bob Good (R-VA) wrote to Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel with a request for a handful of information:

1. Current broadband maps are primarily based on information received from providers. What processes are in place to ensure the highest accuracy in reporting this information?
2. A more granular broadband map can help identify more accurately where broadband is available, but only if a meaningful and robust challenge process is implemented to validate both fi xed and mobile data prior to any map being used by the FCC or RUS (or any other governmental agency) to make funding or financing decisions. What steps are being taken to ensure a challenge process is in place to help validate mapping data?
3. What is being done to help ensure proper mapping collaboration between federal agencies?
4. Certain federal broadband maps do not capture deployment in progress, even when it is occurring pursuant to governmental initiatives like the FCC's Universal Service Fund or Rural Utilities Service (RUS) lending/grant programs. When will the mapping be updated to incorporate ongoing deployment of broadband services?
5. Congress recently passed the Broadband DATA Act to address the accuracy and the challenge process issues noted above. What is the status of implementing the new map, and will the FCC and USDA consider utilizing the updated map to maximize coordination between your agencies?

On July 8, Chairwoman Rosenworcel replied recapping broadband activities initiated since she rose to FCC chair including the formation of the Broadband Data Task Force to coordinate and expedite the design and construction of new systems for collecting and verifying broadband deployment data, hiring a data architect and design firm to work with the FCC’s own data and IT systems specialists to assess our existing data and mapping systems; and conducting a Request for Information (RFI) process to jump-start FCC contracting for the creation of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, a common dataset of all locations in the United States where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed.