Rosenworcel Launches Broadband Data Crowdsourcing Program, Backs Hassan's Airwaves Act
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel used a Friday Senate Commerce Committee field hearing with Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., to announce a program to crowdsource data collected to update the National Broadband Map, saying “if we want to get serious about addressing…
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our broadband problems, we need to know exactly where those problems are most pronounced.” Hassan’s hearing in Keene, New Hampshire, was to examine ways to improve broadband deployments, especially in rural areas. “We need better mapping” given that the National Broadband Map was last updated more than three years ago, Rosenworcel said in prepared testimony. “Too often the FCC cobbles together data for each individual rulemaking and report without a comprehensive and updated snapshot of where service is and is not.” Rosenworcel said she’s “a big believer in the wisdom of crowds, so I think we should put it to the public. If you’ve not been able to get service, or live in an area that lacks it, help us make a map.” She said she set up the email account broadbandfail@fcc.gov to collect the crowdsourced data, which she will share with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and “put on pressure to do something about it.” Rosenworcel also endorsed the Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum (Airwaves) Act (S-1682), which Hassan and Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., fielded in August. The bill aims to identify spectrum for unlicensed use and free up mid-band spectrum for wireless industry purchase via a future FCC auction. S-1682 also would direct the FCC to allocate 10 percent of proceeds from future spectrum auctions toward funding wireless broadband access for unserved and underserved consumers (see 1708010069). The legislation is “the kind of creative effort that would in time lead to more coverage on a broadband map and also help bridge the Homework Gap,” Rosenworcel said. “It’s good stuff.” U.S. Cellular Vice President-Federal Affairs Grant Spellmeyer also testified in favor of improving broadband mapping, drawing praise from the Competitive Carriers Association.