Long, Latta introduce bipartisan broadband mapping bills

U.S. Reps. Billy Long (R-MO) and Bob Latta (R-OH) on Sept. 6 introduced two bipartisan broadband mapping bills.

The lawmakers cosponsored the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services (MAPS) Act, H.R. 4227, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA) to prohibit the submission to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of inaccurate broadband internet access service coverage information or data.

Reps. Long and Latta also cosponsored the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, H.R. 4229, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) to improve the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband availability maps.

“With this legislation, we’ll be better able to pinpoint areas that are lacking coverage, and help ensure that unserved and underserved communities have better broadband availability,” Rep. Latta said.

“For rural communities, such as those in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District, access to broadband is scarce,” added Rep. Long. “This bill would take the necessary steps to inform providers who is and is not connected.”

If enacted, H.R. 4229 would require the FCC to collect granular service availability data from wired, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband providers, and would request that the commission considers whether to collect verified coverage data from state, local, and tribal governments, as well as from other entities, according to a summary provided by the congressmen’s offices.

Additionally, H.R. 4229 would require improved parameters for service availability data collected from mobile broadband providers to ensure accuracy, the summary says.

“Rural communities like much of Ohio’s 5th District often struggle with having access to fast, reliable broadband,” said Rep. Latta. “Unfortunately, without this access it is difficult for them to do their jobs, finish their homework, and stay connected to friends and family.”