Bill Summary
The Map Improvement Act of 2019 is a proposed bill that aims to improve the collection and aggregation of data on fixed and mobile broadband internet service coverage in the United States. This includes creating a standardized methodology for collecting and mapping accurate coverage data, as well as establishing an Office of Broadband Data Collection and Mapping within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to oversee this process.
The bill also calls for the creation of a technical assistance program, funded by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to help state and local entities map and assess current broadband internet service adoption rates and pricing in their communities. Additionally, the bill proposes the use of GIS software to create a centralized national map for determining eligibility for federal broadband internet service programs.
Overall, this legislation aims to improve the validity, reliability, and efficiency of broadband internet service coverage data in the US, and allow for ongoing validation and public feedback to ensure accuracy.
Possible Impacts
1) By collecting and mapping accurate data on broadband internet service coverage, the bill could help improve the efficiency of coverage data collection. This could potentially benefit people by increasing access to reliable and high-speed internet services in their area.
2) The establishment of an Office of Broadband Data Collection and Mapping could provide a centralized point for data collection and validation, making it easier for individuals and organizations to access and verify broadband internet service data. This could benefit people by allowing them to have a better understanding of the broadband options available to them.
3) Through the technical assistance program, State and local entities can receive grants to assess broadband service adoption rates and pricing in their communities. This could benefit people by providing them with information on the availability and affordability of broadband internet services in their area.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4128 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4128
To improve the collection and aggregation of fixed and mobile broadband
internet service coverage data, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 30, 2019
Mr. Lujan (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Michael F. Doyle of
Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the collection and aggregation of fixed and mobile broadband
internet service coverage data, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Map Improvement Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications
and Information.
(2) Broadband internet service.--The term ``broadband
internet service''--
(A) means mass-market retail service by wire or
radio that provides the capability to transmit data to
and receive data from all or substantially all internet
endpoints, including any capabilities that are
incidental to and enable the operation of the
communications service;
(B) includes any service that the Commission finds
to be providing a functional equivalent of the service
described in subparagraph (A) or that is used to evade
the protections set forth in part 8 of title 47, Code
of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and
(C) does not include dial-up internet service.
(3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
(4) End user.--The term ``end user'' means any individual
or entity that uses a broadband internet service.
(5) Fixed broadband internet service.--The term ``fixed
broadband internet service'' means--
(A) a broadband internet service that serves end
users primarily at fixed endpoints using stationary
equipment; and
(B) includes fixed wireless services, including
fixed unlicensed wireless services, and fixed satellite
services.
(6) GIS.--The term ``GIS'' means geographic information
systems.
(7) Mobile broadband internet service.--The term ``mobile
broadband internet service'' shall have the meaning given such
term by the Commission for purposes of this Act.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States, and each
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
SEC. 3. COLLECTION AND MAPPING OF FIXED AND MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET
SERVICE COVERAGE.
(a) Standardized Methodology Rule.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with the
Assistant Secretary, shall promulgate a final rule to establish
a standardized methodology for collecting and mapping accurate
fixed broadband internet service and mobile broadband internet
service coverage data in the United States, which shall--
(A) ensure that coverage data for fixed broadband
internet service and mobile broadband internet service
is collected in a standardized, consistent, and robust
manner;
(B) improve the validity and reliability of
coverage data;
(C) increase the efficiency of coverage data
collection;
(D) contain standard definitions for different
speed tiers, such as the 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE tiers
and the equivalent for fixed broadband internet
service;
(E) ensure that the collection and validation
process occurs on a regular basis; and
(F) establish a standardized ongoing validation
process and public feedback mechanism that will allow
for consumers, State and local officials, and broadband
internet service providers to submit data to the
Commission to verify coverage data from broadband
internet service providers and challenge any aspects of
such data believed to be inaccurate.
(2) Considerations.--In promulgating the rule required
under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider--
(A) coordinating with the Postmaster General, the
heads of other Federal agencies that operate delivery
fleet vehicles, and the Director of the Bureau of the
Census for assistance with data collection and the
feasibility of using more granular address level data;
and
(B) creating 1 centralized national map with
multiple layers, including a layer each for fixed
broadband internet service and mobile broadband
internet service, which may be used in determining
eligibility for all Federal broadband internet service
grant, loan, and subsidy programs.
(3) Establishment of office.--The Commission shall
establish an Office of Broadband Data Collection and Mapping
within the Commission to serve as the central point of
collection, aggregation, and validation of data collected under
the standardized methodology established under this subsection.
(b) Technical Assistance Program.--
(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish a
technical assistance program under which the Assistant
Secretary shall provide grants to State and local entities,
such as regional planning organizations, to--
(A) assist such entities with mapping and the
development of a GIS-based map of existing fixed
broadband internet service and mobile broadband
internet service; and
(B) assess current broadband internet service
adoption rates and advertised broadband internet
service pricing in the community.
(2) Use of funds.--Funds received under this subsection--
(A) shall be used to--
(i) carry out the activities described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
(ii) participate in the standardized
ongoing validation process and public feedback
mechanism described in subsection (a)(1)(F);
and
(B) may be used to purchase GIS software and for
technical assistance with that software.
(3) Other uses for gis software.--A grantee may use GIS
software acquired using funds received under this subsection
for other purposes in addition to broadband internet service
mapping.
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