FCC will run National Broadband Map

The Federal Communications Commission announced that it will assume responsibility for all data making up the National Broadband Map, a project which shows where broadband is available. Since 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has been maintaining the map, but its funding, which comes from the states, will run out in 2014. CWA has supported this project from the beginning.

Unlike the NTIA program, though, the FCC is not guaranteeing that it  will collect and publish pricing information – critical data that informs consumers about comparative costs. As the FCC said, “… the changes will streamline data reporting by industry and eliminate several unneeded collections.”

The FCC is not ruling it out, but its current plan doesn’t include it. Acting FCC Chair Mignon Clyburn said, “While this Report and Order does not collect pricing or more granular subscription data as some parties have requested, it leaves the door open to do so.”

According to its announcement, the FCC will improve some data. For instance, it will collect “… mobile broadband deployment data by technology, minimum advertised speed, and spectrum band to help assess competition in the mobile wireless marketplace and mobile broadband availability to consumers.” But without pricing, there is no way to completely assess competition.

FCC modernizes and streamlines broadband & voice data collection (FCC release, Jun. 27, 2013)

FCC to Take Over National Broadband Map (Broadcasting & Cable, Jun. 27, 2013)