FCC Maps and Professional Engineers

When the Federal Communications Commission first adopted the new broadband data collection and mapping rules, the FCC had a requirement that broadband providers must get FCC mapping data certified by a professional engineer or by a corporate officer that meets specific qualifications to make the certification. The genesis of this ruling was fairly clear – the FCC has taken a lot of flak about broadband providers that have been submitting clearly inaccurate data about broadband coverage. To some degree, this was the FCC’s fault because the agency never reviewed what broadband providers submitted, and there was no feedback or challenge mechanism for outsiders to complain about the maps – even though the FCC heard repeatedly about the poor quality of the maps. The FCC now wants an engineer to bless the coverage area for every broadband provider that submits broadband mapping data. I know that the FCC is trying to avoid the blame it has taken over the years for producing dreadful broadband maps. But in this case, the industry told the FCC why its requirements can’t work, and the agency ignored what they were told. Unfortunately, the FCC didn’t hear directly from the small broadband providers – because it never does. These little companies don’t know what’s going on at the FCC and don’t make comments in dockets, even those that matter. 

[Doug Dawson is president of CCG Consulting]