July 8, 2021 – Acting FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel has provided an update on the FCC’s progress with the creation of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, a key component of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, the FCC’s new broadband mapping effort.[1]

The “Fabric” will be a common dataset of all locations in the U.S. where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed. Under the new mapping methodology, broadband service providers will provide the FCC with granular and detailed coverage data which will be compared against or layered on top of the Fabric, thereby giving the FCC a more accurate picture of broadband coverage throughout the U.S.

In a letter to Representative Bob Good (R-VA), acting FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel provided the following status update on the creation of the Fabric:

“In addition, we have conducted a Request for Information (RFI) process to jump-start our contracting for the creation of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, a common dataset of all locations in the United States where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed. We received responses to the RFI, held industry feedback sessions with multiple entities, and quickly moved forward with a June 1 Request for Proposal, consistent with recommended government solicitation practices, based on those feedback sessions. We received proposals in response to the RFP on July 1 and are reviewing expeditiously.”

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[1] See Establishing the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, WC Docket No. 19-195, Modernizing the FCC Form 477 Data Program, WC Docket No. 11-10, Third Report And Order, FCC 21-20 (Jan. 19, 2021), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-21-20A1.pdf; Establishing the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, WC Docket No. 19-195, Modernizing the FCC Form 477 Data Program, WC Docket No. 11-10, Second Report And Order And Third Further Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking, 35 FCC Rcd 7460, FCC 20-94 (July 17, 2020), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-94A1.pdf; Establishing the Digital Opportunity Data Collection, WC Docket No. 19-195, Modernizing the FCC Form 477 Data Program, WC Docket No. 11-10, Report And Order And Second Further Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking, 34 FCC Rcd 7505, FCC 19-79 (Aug. 6, 2019), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-19-79A1.pdf.