Loebsack's Legislation to Improve Broadband Availability Maps Passes House Committee

Statement

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed his bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4229, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act. Loebsack's legislation will help improve the accuracy of FCC broadband data maps by changing the way broadband data is collected. The legislation was cosponsored by Reps. Bob Latta (OH-05), Billy Long (MO-07) and Donald McEachin (VA-04) and now heads to the full House for its consideration.

"I am very pleased that the House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the Broadband DATA Act by unanimous vote. This bill is important to actually fixing the problem and getting highspeed broadband to where it is needed, especially in rural areas. Without the best data available, we cannot properly invest in building out broadband access. I look forward to getting this legislation passed in the House and on its way to the Senate," said Loebsack.

Specifically, the Broadband DATA Act:
* Requires the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers
* Requires strong parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy.
* Asks the FCC to consider whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities.
* Creates a process for consumers, state, local, and Tribal governments, and other groups to challenge FCC maps with their own data, and requires the FCC to determine how to structure the process without making it overly burdensome on challengers.

A significant digital divide remains between urban and rural America. Congressman Loebsack is a leader in working to close this divide by promoting broadband deployment throughout rural America. Loebsack serves on the Communications and Technology subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications issues. He also serves as a co-chair of the Rural Broadband Caucus.

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