States Say FCC Broadband Map Improved, Still Needs Work

NTIA will use the FCC map to determine how much money states receive in addition to the $100 million each they’re guaranteed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The map -- the FCC's second version -- showed more than 8.3 million homes and businesses lacking access to high-speed internet nationally, with a net increase of more than 1 million new serviceable locations compared with the initial map (see 2305300050).

“Some pieces are still missing in Colorado,” said Brandy Reitter, the state broadband office’s executive director. She said some providers working with the broadband office aren’t represented in the new FCC map. The number of unserved areas in Colorado decreased about 2% in the new version compared with the 2022 national map, but that was expected, she said. Colorado still expects to receive $400 million to $700 million, probably on the higher end of that range, said Reitter. “This was a significant undertaking, and we thank the FCC for their effort. Regardless of the amount Colorado receives, we are excited about allocating BEAD money to help Coloradans.”

More Maine locations are correctly identified as unserved on the new FCC map due to reporting by citizens, U.S. Cellular and other providers, emailed Maine Connectivity Authority President Andrew Butcher. But the authority was “disappointed to see claims of advertised speeds at locations where we know it is not possible to receive that level of service,” he said. The state broadband office will keep working on improving the map, though it’s “unfortunate that this work will not be counted toward our BEAD Allocation dollars." The authority was frustrated with the fixed wireless process, added Butcher: Despite evidence it submitted, “all the decision came down to was whether or not the propagation model was developed to industry standard as the industry defined it for the FCC.” No real-world checks were used to correct the model, he said. Still, Butcher praised FCC staff’s commitment to improving data.

Washington state’s broadband office “is pleased that our collective efforts at state agency and individual household levels resulted in an additional 71,000 locations added to the FCC’s version 2,” emailed Deputy Director Erika Henry. “Though more locations can always be added as technology, reporting, and people power allow,” the state’s 42% net gain is among the nation’s highest, she said. “We anticipate that this will positively impact our incoming BEAD allocation and will provide more needed resources to continue closing the digital divide and providing internet access for all in Washington state.”

Though Pennsylvania thinks the FCC map improved, “there is still more work to do before we’re in a position to invest federal BEAD funds next year,” said a spokesperson for the state’s Community & Economic Development Department. “We look forward to continuing to improve the accuracy of the National Broadband Map during the state challenge process that we are planning to implement later this year.” The spokesperson said 21,000 of 50,000 challenges submitted by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority were upheld, making them eligible for funding. The new map added 20,000 broadband serviceable locations, including 9,000 unserved locations, bringing the total number of unserved locations in the state to about 280,000, the official said.

The new map "is much improved from the first," with more accurate availability data, said a New Jersey Board of Public Utilities spokesperson: The state's efforts resulted in about 38,500 broadband serviceable locations and about 27,000 unserved locations added to the national map. "New Jersey is among the top ten states to gain the most broadband serviceable locations from version one of the map to version two of the map." The state still hopes for more improvements as it seeks to bring access to the unserved, the official added.

The updated map means funding for 80,700 more locations in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice (R) said last week. The new version expanded eligibility to 271,000 unserved locations, the governor’s office said June 7. The additional locations were identified after West Virginia residents reported data to the FCC, while the state broadband office did field inspections and “proactively consulted with broadband carriers and cellular companies to refine location and technology data,” it said.

The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is “reviewing the latest data and will know more in the coming weeks,” a spokesperson said. A May 31 analysis by Cloudflare Director-Network Strategy Mike Conlow found the new map showed about 71,000 fewer unserved Michigan locations than the old version, “by far the biggest decrease in the 50 states.” The 18% drop means an estimated $416 million decrease in how much Michigan will receive from BEAD, which is also the biggest drop among states, he said. It happened because the FCC map showed “big increases in the coverage areas filed by a few wireless providers,” said Conlow.

Tennessee looks “forward to continuing our review of [the] most recent iteration of the FCC maps and hearing our allocation from NTIA in the coming weeks,” said State Broadband Director Taylre Beaty. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s broadband office is still analyzing the new FCC map, a PSC spokesperson said. Awaiting BEAD allocations June 30, “Florida is in a confident and informed position because of our extensive stakeholder engagement and mapping efforts,” said a spokesperson for the state’s Economic Opportunity department. The FCC didn’t comment.

How states respond to final counts will be interesting, CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson blogged June 5. “There have been rumors about states ready to sue the FCC and the NTIA if they feel these maps will cheat them out of funding.” Dawson would be surprised if nobody challenges NTIA’s $42.5 billion allocation, he said. “A challenge could [plunge] the BEAD grants into huge uncertainty.”

State broadband plan drafts are starting to surface. Louisiana sought comment by June 23 on a draft BEAD plan and by July 7 on a digital equity proposal. Utah sought comment by July 6 on its plans. Maine is taking comments verbally and in writing this month on its draft plans. Several states and others estimated likely BEAD allocations earlier this year (see 2303240003).