Promoting Broadband for Anchor Institutions
and their Communities
Broadband Mapping
Broadband maps are critical for targeting broadband funding to the areas most in need. But creating accurate and granular broadband maps is easier said than done. The Federal Communications Commission’s maps, for example, tend to overstate broadband availability and do not include any information about community anchor institution connectivity.
Congress passed the Broadband DATA Act in 2020 to improve the FCC’s broadband maps, but many states and municipalities believe their own initiatives provide an additional level of granularity. The SHLB Coalition examines the pros and cons of various mapping methodologies, particularly as they relate to anchor institution broadband. Government officials should incorporate all available information and data into their funding decisions, going beyond maps that estimate broadband coverage areas submitted by traditional providers, to chart the quality – speed, latency, reliability, and “on-the-ground” availability – of broadband service.
Key Documents
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March 2020 |
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SHLB'S Advocacy
January 15, 2021
SHLB met with the FCC to suggest that any upcoming broadband maps should include community anchor institutions.
December 1, 2020
The SHLB Coalition proposed that Congress should only provide full funding for new FCC broadband maps if the maps include community anchor institutions
October 6, 2020
SHLB met with the FCC to support including broadband data about anchor institutions in new broadband maps.
September 8, 2020
SHLB's comments ask the Commission to collect and publish broadband maps that include community anchor institutions.
Broadband Mapping Policy Group
Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2 ET
Co-Chairs:
Stephanie Jane Edwards
North Carolina Research and Education Network
Ashley Hitt
Connected Nation
SHLB Members Only
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