By Jonathan Marashlian,  August 6, 2019

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Thursday adopted a Report and Order and
Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Order & NPRM”) aimed at improving the accuracy of
broadband data it currently collects biannually via the Form 477.  The actions summarized herein
are the results of a voluminous rulemaking proceeding that the FCC commenced after determining
that its current broadband data collection methodology is outdated.

The crux of the Order is threefold:  (1) establishment of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection
(“DODC”) requiring fixed service suppliers to provide geospatial broadband coverage maps
pinpointing exactly where they provide service; (2) allowing public input on the accuracy of the
providers’ geospatial maps; and (3) revising the FCC Form 477 to eliminate certain reporting
requirements the FCC has deemed outdated, as well as adding new reporting requirements.

In the NPRM, the FCC seeks comment on:  (1) additional technical standards to which fixed service
suppliers must adhere in submitting DODC information; (2) collection of more coverage data from
mobile wireless voice and broadband suppliers for their transition to DODC; and (3) discontinuation
of the Form 477 following full implementation of the DODC.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Thursday adopted a Report and Order and Second
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Order & NPRM”) aimed at improving the accuracy of broadband data
it currently collects biannually via the Form 477.  The actions summarized herein are the results of a
voluminous rulemaking proceeding that the FCC commenced after determining that its current broadband
data collection methodology is outdated.

The crux of the Order is threefold:  (1) establishment of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection (“DODC”)
requiring fixed service suppliers to provide geospatial broadband coverage maps pinpointing exactly where
they provide service; (2) allowing public input on the accuracy of the providers’ geospatial maps; and (3)
revising the FCC Form 477 to eliminate certain reporting requirements the FCC has deemed outdated, as
well as adding new reporting requirements.

In the NPRM, the FCC seeks comment on:  (1) additional technical standards to which fixed service suppliers
must adhere in submitting DODC information; (2) collection of more coverage data from mobile wireless voice
and broadband suppliers for their transition to DODC; and (3) discontinuation of the Form 477 following full
implementation of the DODC.

The FCC will require the following information to be included in DODC filings:

• Maximum download and upload speeds actually made available in each area, the technology used to
  provide the service, and differentiation between residential-only, business-only, and combination
  broadband services.
• Broadband coverage polygon map for each combination of download and upload speeds, and
  technology. Separate polygon maps must be filed where providers offer different maximum speeds,
  even if using the same network.
• The FCC defines “available service” in areas wherein the provider has a current broadband connection or
  could provide same within ten days of customer request “without an extraordinary commitment of
  resources or construction costs exceeding an ordinary service activation fee.” This extends to every end-
  user location contained in the filed polygon maps. This definition must be followed closely by all filers.

https://www.cloudcommunications.com/form477/