Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act

Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to submit a plan to Congress for tracking the receipt, processing, and disposition of communications use authorizations. (These are requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, or other authorizations to locate or modify a transmitting device, support structure, or other communications facility on public lands or National Forest System land.)

Bill 118 hr 3343, also known as the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act, aims to improve the tracking and reporting of broadband deployment across the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 25, 2021, by Representative Anna Eshoo from California.

The main purpose of this bill is to create a more accurate and up-to-date map of broadband coverage in the country. This is important because access to high-speed internet is crucial for economic development, education, healthcare, and many other aspects of modern life. By improving the accuracy of broadband maps, policymakers can better target resources to areas that are underserved or lacking in internet access.

The Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect and publish data on broadband deployment twice a year. This data would include information on the availability, speed, and location of broadband services, as well as the technologies used to provide them. The bill also calls for the creation of an online, interactive map that would allow the public to easily access and understand this information. In addition, the bill includes provisions to improve the accuracy of the data collected by the FCC. It would require broadband providers to report more detailed information about their coverage areas, including the number of households served and the types of technologies used. The bill also calls for the establishment of a process for verifying the accuracy of this data, to ensure that it is reliable and trustworthy. Overall, the Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act is aimed at improving the transparency and accuracy of broadband deployment data in the United States. By creating a more detailed and up-to-date map of broadband coverage, policymakers can make more informed decisions about how to expand access to high-speed internet and bridge the digital divide.