WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the committee.
“Nevadans in every corner of the state deserve access to a high speed broadband connection. In order to achieve this, we must have the most up-to-date mapping to ensure we can provide internet coverage to every rural and underserved community,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation will require the FCC to collect more detailed data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers to create these improved maps. I will continue to work on bipartisan legislation that will improve the quality of life for those across Nevada.”
BACKGROUND: The bipartisan Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act would:
• Require the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers.
• Require strong parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy.
• Ask the FCC to consider whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities.
• Create a process for consumers, state, local, and Tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data, and require the FCC to determine how to structure the process without making it overly burdensome on challengers.
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