Precise broadband maps critical to expanding rural high-speed internet access, says Ernst

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) this week urged Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to bridge the rural digital divide via more accurate broadband maps.

“It is vital that we are able to more precisely identify where fixed and mobile broadband service is available or lacking in the United States,” wrote Sen. Ernst and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in their July 8 letter sent to Pai. “Current broadband availability maps are based largely upon whatever information may be received from providers. There are several problems with the current FCC maps.”

For example, fixed broadband maps are not granular enough and may show that an entire census block is being served even if service is offered in only one location within that census block, resulting in potentially lost funding or financing for rural network buildouts, according to the letter.

The lawmakers also pointed out discrepancies in the FCC’s 2018 Broadband Deployment Report, which they said shows that more than three in four rural Iowans have access to broadband and over 90 percent of all Iowa residents have broadband access.

“As much as we wish that were the case, we can tell you that the FCC data drastically overstates broadband access throughout our state,” Sen. Ernst and her colleague wrote.

In Chickasaw County, Iowa, for instance, the FCC reports universal broadband access despite usage data provided by technology companies showing just 5.9 percent of Chickasaw’s residents have broadband access.

“That discrepancy is too large,” wrote the lawmakers.

Sen. Ernst and Grassley noted that broadband access is “a vital link to a range of necessary services and resources” for rural Americans, including for sectors across business, education and healthcare.

“We look forward to working with you as the FCC continues to work to ensure all Americans have access to robust and reliable broadband,” the senators wrote.