US House Bills on Accuracy of Broadband Mapping

Representatives Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband availability maps.  The “Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act (HR 4229)’’ will improve the accuracy of FCC broadband data maps by changing the way broadband data is collected.  Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate.   Additionally, Reps. Billy Long (MO-07) and Donald McEachin (VA-04). the “Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services (MAPS) Act (HR 4227),” which will help hold broadband providers accountable by making it against the law to knowingly provide inaccurate data to the FCC.

The Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) 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.

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The Regulatory Mix Today: US House Bills on Accuracy of Broadband Mapping, Pennsylvania Intrastate Revenue Reporting

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Pennsylvania Intrastate Revenue Reporting

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has published a final policy statement regarding providers’ legal reporting obligations.  For assessment purposes, providers must report all de facto gross intrastate operating revenues on all telecommunications services, including special access or other similar jurisdictionally mixed services.  This policy statement became effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on August 31, 2019. 

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 9/4/19

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.