For Immediate Release
Contact: Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected]
Arlington, Va. (March 10, 2020)— NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association issued the following statement from Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield regarding the passage of the “Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act” sponsored by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). The legislation will now be sent to the White House for the President’s signature.
“NTCA welcomes the advancement of legislation to improve the broadband mapping process to more accurately represent deployment. This bill takes several important steps toward improving broadband mapping – including more granular data collection and the establishment of a challenge process. Better maps will help inform important policy and investment decisions related to rural broadband deployment.
"NTCA commends the Senate for passing this broadband mapping legislation. Improving broadband availability maps is essential to identify areas lacking connectivity and to tailor properly solutions for closing the digital divide."
Congressional passage of the Broadband DATA Act was a result of years of discussion between Congress and numerous consumer and industry stakeholders. NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association worked extensively with the Senate Commerce Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and other stakeholders to ensure the Broadband DATA Act includes meaningful reforms that will improve our broadband maps. Specifically, NTCA sought the addition of better standards for reporting of network capabilities and robust challenge and validation processes that allow providers, state and local governments, and consumers to quickly and accurately correct mistakes to the map.
"NTCA thanks its members, Members of Congress, and other industry groups who worked on this legislation.”
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