Broadband access update
FCC seeks feedback on draft broadband maps: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is encouraging residents, businesses and local governments to provide feedback to the FCC’s draft broadband maps released in late November that show areas served and unserved by high-speed internet. The draft maps can be accessed at https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home. The system allows consumers to enter an address on the home page to get access to broadband and provider information. Individuals who see that the information on the maps does not match up with what they know from their lived experience can submit challenges, or request corrections, directly through the map interface. The FCC will also accept bulk challenges to the reported availability data from state and local governments and other stakeholders who see problems that need to corrected in multiple locations. The challenge process will run through January 13, 2023.
State plan to expand broadband released: The PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) released the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Statewide Broadband Plan. The plan addresses challenges and opportunities for Pennsylvania in the four key areas of infrastructure and availability, digital equity and affordability, device and technology access, and digital literacy and technical support. The PBDA is the state’s single point-of-contact for the commonwealth to drive out taxpayer dollars to eligible projects to improve access to high-speed internet in unserved and underserved communities. The FCC will dedicate resources based on states and areas with the greatest need based on data collected throughout the challenge process.