A circulating order proposes FCC collection of broadband...
A circulating order proposes FCC collection of broadband deployment data, according to senior agency officials. The data would be used to populate the National Broadband Map beginning in FY 2015. Currently, Form 477 asks telecom companies to provide subscriber numbers…
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for voice and broadband services; the order would add broadband deployment data because NTIA’s collection of the same data is set to expire at the end of FY 2014, officials said. The FCC plans to make some changes to improve data quality and reduce burdens on providers that have to file, officials said: Large providers in multiple states will no longer have to submit their data in different formats to satisfy several different state requirements. Providers will have to provide some new information, such as contact information for public safety disaster purposes. On the mobile side, in addition to providing speed data, providers will be asked to provide information on air interface technologies and spectrum bands used, officials said. NTIA filed comments in WC docket 11-10 Wednesday to give the commission “guidance” on how best to collect and manage the data. The commission should “provide technical assistance to smaller broadband service providers,” and “incorporate state data verification methods and practices,” NTIA said. The commission should also develop processes to receive community feedback, NTIA said. The commission will still have to get the Office of Management and Budget’s Paperwork Reduction Act approval for the information collection, FCC officials said. There could be one overlap with NTIA, where both the FCC and NTIA are collecting data at the same time. That would be a good thing, FCC officials said, as it would give the commission an opportunity to check its data against what NTIA has collected. The order is expected to be adopted at the June open meeting, FCC officials said.