Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., alongside Senators Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act.
The legislation is intended to improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission's broadband availability maps by improving the process by which broadband data is collected.
"Broadband is key to keeping rural America competitive in the 21st century and beyond," Klobuchar stated in a news release. "This legislation will help close the digital divide with granular data collection for more accurate mapping so that we can bring high-speed internet to every family, regardless of their zip code."
Specifically, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act:
- Requires the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers.
- Requires strong parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy.
- Asks the FCC to consider whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities.
- Creates a process for consumers, state, local, and tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data, and requires the FCC to determine how to structure the process without making it overly burdensome on challengers.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., alongside Senators Gary Peters, D-Mich., and John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act.
The legislation is intended to improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission's broadband availability maps by improving the process by which broadband data is collected.
"Broadband is key to keeping rural America competitive in the 21st century and beyond," Klobuchar stated in a news release. "This legislation will help close the digital divide with granular data collection for more accurate mapping so that we can bring high-speed internet to every family, regardless of their zip code."
Specifically, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act:
• Requires the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers.
• Requires strong parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy.
• Asks the FCC to consider whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities.
• Creates a process for consumers, state, local, and tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data, and requires the FCC to determine how to structure the process without making it overly burdensome on challengers.