Policies > Broadband > Section 1
Improving Mapping and Data Collection
Current broadband data does not deliver an accurate picture of where households lack connectivity, and does not measure the impact of affordability and other obstacles besides physical access to a broadband connection.
Section 1:
Improving Mapping & Data Collection
Section 2:
Building New Broadband Networks
Section 4:
Promoting Digital
Skills
Section 5:
Increasing Access Through Telehealth
Congress passed the Broadband Data Act in 2020 to begin to address these issues by requiring all broadband providers to report more granular data and the FCC to collect and use the data for broadband maps to guide funding. This act is still yet to be implemented, however, and even after implementation, it will still result in our reliance on self-reporting by carriers and providers. The Act also does not require address-level data, nor data on price, speed, or outage. With the leadership of Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC is finally undertaking a massive effort to revise its maps, but outside input is needed to guide data collection to promote equity.
Policymakers need information about affordability, reliability, and inequities in access to make sound decisions about broadband investments for their communities. State and local elected officials can collect local-level data and create their own maps for their areas. These efforts also create opportunities to collect precise data on speed and pricing, and to overlay that with demographic information to identify gaps and where to focus funding and resources.
Case Studies
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Florida: Office of Broadband
The Florida Office of Broadband was created by legislation sponsored by Senator Loranne Ausley to ensure broadband investments would be prioritized in the state's budget, and to streamline infrastructure expansion especially in unserved, underserved, and rural communities. Through the office, the state is investing $1.5M to fund geographic information system (GIS) mapping, which will "identify where broadband capable networks exist, where service is available to users, and gaps in rural areas, along with download and upload transmission speeds across Florida."
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Washington: Statewide Broadband Office
The Washington Statewide Broadband Office has created new maps to identify gaps in high-speed internet service by surveying residents to gather data. The Office conducted a first-in-the-nation survey, soliciting over 44,000 residents across the state to conduct one-minute speed tests. The survey results will assist the state in prioritizing grants and investments in specific areas to reach a 2028 goal of providing high-speed broadband to all residents and businesses.
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Colorado: Broadband Expansion for the Underserved
Colorado Senator Jeff Bridges sponsored a bill to help fund broadband expansion through an improved grant distribution process that prioritizes critically underserved communities, including low-income and hard-to- reach areas on tribal land. The bill requires the broadband deployment board to develop a map identifying critically unserved areas in the state and reference it when reviewing applications. Grant applicants are required to provide more granular mapping data to demonstrate the community needs and to report on how the funds were used to improve speeds, rates, and services.
