Wicker, Hassan, Moran File Map Broadband Act to Revamp FCC's MF II Challenge Process
Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., led the filing of the Mobile Accuracy and Precision (Map) Broadband Act (S-2955) in response to concerns about the accuracy of the data the…
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FCC has been collecting for its broadband coverage maps. All three senators raised concerns about mapping accuracy during a March Senate Communications Subcommittee on broadband provisions in President Donald Trump's infrastructure legislative proposal (see 1803130056). S-2955 would revamp the Mobility Fund Phase II (MF II) challenge process, including via provisions that would extend the deadline for carriers and state and local governments to file challenges until Nov. 27. The bill would also require the FCC to publish monthly updates on the challenge process. “Many competitive carriers serve rural or hard-to-reach areas of the country and rely on critical MF II support to serve their customers and expand their networks,” said Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry. “The challenge process is a key part of the MF II program and the MAP Broadband Act will help ensure unserved and underserved areas, especially those in rural America, are not left behind in the digital world.” The FCC updated its MF II map last week but said the updates “do not alter the eligibility status of 99.87 percent of the total area” on the first map.