The state of the FCC’s broadband maps
took center stage as the Senate Commerce Committee members grilled FCC
Commissioners in an oversight hearing Wednesday.
Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS)
said, “It’s clear to me the FCC should not move forward” on funding more
broadband projects “until it gets the maps right.” Wicker said he
intends to introduce a bill aimed at getting more granular data about
where wired and wireless broadband is available.
Big news was shared by FCC Chairman
Ajit Pai, who announced he intends to circulate a Report and Order among
his colleagues in time for a vote at the agency’s August meeting, “that
would result in more granular and more accurate broadband maps.”
Pai said that means,
“requiring broadband providers to report where they actually offer
service, below the census block level” at which current data stands. The
item would also look to incorporate public feedback into the
Commission’s mapping efforts, Pai added. He did not go into specifics,
which is normal for an item yet to be voted on. Continue Reading
No comments:
Post a Comment