FCC releases new broadband map, will determine funding allocation across the nation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released the first draft of a new national broadband map providing a more granular look at broadband service throughout the country. The new broadband map was created to ensure that the $42.45 billion federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program makes its way to the areas most in need of broadband service when it is allocated to states on June 30. This program provides each state with at least $100 million and additional funds according to the number of unserved or underserved areas.

This new broadband service map is a response to a demand from Congress in 2020 for a more detailed map. Previous broadband maps determined service at a census block level. The new map determines broadband access by address using data from internet service providers and allows the public to check their address to confirm its accuracy. If people find the map incorrect, they can file a challenge.

In October, New York state officials challenged FCC data, claiming that 31,000 locations were said to have access that are actually underserved or unserved. This claim is supported by the state’s own map, which it required its Public Service Commission to create in 2021. The New York state map used information from broadband providers and allowed the public to enter their own information. State officials are expected to compare the state map with the new FCC map.

Those wishing to file challenges have less than two months to do so, with a quickly approaching deadline of Jan. 13. Although challenges to the data will be processed on a rolling basis, many state and local leaders are concerned that many missing locations will still not be identified before the recommended deadline. This will prevent those locations from being included in the BEAD allocation.

Cities without any broadband experts will struggle to support challenges to the map without the ability to understand the out-of-date infrastructure and collect evidence of insufficient service speeds. While many more areas needing broadband infrastructure funding are likely to receive it with this investment, many communities may remain without it.