Bill allows local mapping of rural broadband

Rural Issue

Bill allows local mapping of rural broadband

A provision in major rural broadband legislation in the U.S. House allows for local mapping authority. New York Congressman Antonio Delgado – who calls the lack of rural broadband unacceptable – says he’s pleased his bipartisan has been included in the larger bill.

“The Community Broadband Mapping Act will give our small communities the ability to collect their own data so they can challenge inaccurate mapping by the FCC.”

Delgado says accurate information is critical in addressing the rural broadband deficit, “We need to fix the flawed broadband maps that overstate internet access and speeds in rural communities.”

Delgado says the bill will let local governments, electric and phone co-ops, economic and community groups and small internet providers access USDA rural utility service funding to collect information on local broadband coverage.

His measure is part of the Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (HR 4374).

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