April 14, 2022 – The FCC’s Broadband Data Task Force has announced that a preliminary version of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric is now available to eligible fixed broadband providers.[1]

Fixed broadband service providers can access the preliminary version of the Fabric to begin preparing for their broadband availability data submissions under the FCC’s new Broadband Data Collection (BDC). The Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric is a common dataset of all locations in the U.S. where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed, and is a key component of the BDC.

Access to the preliminary Fabric, however, is available for those fixed broadband service providers that have made FCC Form 477 filings in the past. They must first execute a license agreement with the Fabric’s creator, CostQuest, in order to access the data. According to the Public Notice, CostQuest will contact, via email, “the certifying individual of each June 2021 Form 477 filing with fixed broadband deployment, requesting that the recipient visit CostQuest’s user support help desk to (1) create user credentials, (2) submit a license request form, and (3) execute the licensing agreement.”

In February 2022, the FCC announced it will accept BDC broadband availability data from facilities-based providers of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service beginning June 30, 2022, to September 1, 2022. Submissions must show a provider’s broadband availability data as of June 30, 2022.

In the Public Notice announcing the preliminary Fabric, the Broadband Data Task Force also provides further details on the Fabric and information on how fixed broadband providers should prepare their BDC filings, including the following:

(1) information for providers of fixed broadband service on how to access the preliminary Fabric;

(2) identification of data sources used in, and elements of, the Fabric;

(3) confirmation that the Fabric will identify broadband serviceable locations using a unique, FCC-issued identifier (Location ID), a set of latitude/longitude coordinates within the boundaries of each structure, and, where feasible, a street address; and

(4) confirmation that fixed broadband providers that do not use availability polygons must submit their broadband availability data using the unique Location IDs in the Fabric.

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[1] Broadband Data Task Force Announces Access To Preliminary Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric To Fixed Service Providers And Guidance For Filing Fixed Broadband Availability Data, WC Docket Nos. 19-195, 11-10, Public Notice, DA 22-413 (Apr. 14, 2022), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-22-413A1.pdf.