As technology advances, so must our laws and documents. Several new bills are aiming to improve fiber optic network maps and expand access to consumers. If you are interested in a specific map, contact us for more information.
Broadband internet is a luxury that not every American can afford. The number of those lacking accessibility has been dropping, but was recorded at a staggering 19.4 million Americans towards the end of 2017. However, the method the FCC used to map its recently released fact sheet has come under fire. According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance or NDIA1 (the association that has identified connectivity issues and addresses them), one Regional Bell Operating Company was purposely not updating cables in specific areas on the fiber optic network map because those regions were low-income, such as certain neighborhoods in Cleveland.
Fight for the Future plans on challenging the FCC to employ net neutrality for all areas, even those of low-income. The non-profit organization also states that “U.S. residents are already paying more money for less Internet than nearly anywhere in the world.”
Four Bills for Broadband
A newly introduced bipartisan bill has been dubbed the Broadband Data Improvement Act. It is aiming to bolster data gathered by the FCC to ensure that fiber optic network and broadband maps are accurate. There are four United States Senators supporting this act: Brian Schatz, Jerry Moran, Jon Tester, and Shelley Moore Capito. This bill will focus on equal coverage for both rural areas and urban cities. It will aim to do this by requiring providers of broadband to report data on a more granular level. Senator Schatz stated, “Our bill will give the FCC and Congress information needed to fully understand the coverage gaps and then close them.”
The Broadband Data Improvement Act is not the only bill ruffling feathers. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo has reintroduced three bills to increase broadband internet access. She strongly believes that today’s modern infrastructure heavily relies on the ability of individuals to be connected. The three bills Eshoo is reintroducing are:
- The Community Broadband Act – promoting easier platforms for locally-owned broadband systems and public-private partnerships
- CLIMB ONCE Act or The Clearing Local Impediments Makes Broadband Open to New Competition and Enhancements Act – enables smaller communities to speed up the process of pole attachment making broadband deployment cheaper, quicker, and more competitive
- The Broadband Conduit Deployment Act – warrants the inclusion of receiving federal funding for the road construction of conduits
These bills hope to push towards more accurate fiber optic network maps and broader access to the internet in order for more individuals to see better connectivity in the future. These legislative initiatives anticipate not only bringing internet access to those who currently do not have connectivity but making sure everyone is able to have the same accessibility as to not leave anyone behind.
Fiber Optic Network Maps at GeoTel
GeoTel is the most advanced provider of telecommunications infrastructure data. They specialize in telecom intelligence such as fiber-optic network maps and carrier fiber routes. If your company could benefit from the services offered by GeoTel, please contact us today!
1 https://www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/2017/03/10/atts-digital-redlining-of-cleveland/
Author: Valerie Stephen
