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Broadband Data Collection and Mapping

The FCC has updated its national broadband maps with location-specific data on the availability of fixed and mobile broadband services. The underlying data collection and challenge processes allow providers, consumers and other industry stakeholders to improve the accuracy of the maps on an ongoing basis. The maps will inform broadband policy decisions including distribution of funds from the USF high-cost program and other broadband programs.

All facilities-based providers of fixed and mobile broadband are required to participate. In most cases, companies previously required to file FCC Form 477 must submit data to the BDC system twice annually. As of December 2022, the FCC partially sunset the Form 477 data collection. Voice and subscription data previously submitted via Form 477 is now submitted with broadband availability data in the BDC system each March 1 and Sept. 1.

National Broadband Map fact sheet

Fixed service provider deadlines and milestones
Every March 1	Broadband availability data and voice and subscription data (formerly submitted via Form 477) as of Dec. 31 due in BDC system
Every Sept. 1	Broadband availability data and voice and subscription data (formerly submitted via Form 477) as of June 30 due in BDC system
Sept.12, 2022	Bulk Fabric challenge process opened
Nov. 18, 2022	New National Broadband Maps released with location-level information
Nov. 18, 2022	Public access to location challenge process via map interface
Dec. 9, 2022	Form 477 data collection partially sunset; providers must submit voice and subscription data into the BDC system
Jan. 3, 2023	Second BDC filing window open for data as of Dec. 31, 2022

Background

The FCC has long used Form 477 to collect subscribership and deployment data on broadband services, local telephone service and mobile telephony and broadband service. This will continue for the foreseeable future.
To collect more granular location-based deployment data, the FCC adopted the Digital Opportunity Data Collection Order in August 2019, which created what is now called the Broadband Data Collection, a new data collection distinct from the Form 477 collection (but not replacing it).
In March 2020, Congress passed the Broadband DATA Act, requiring the commission to: establish a semiannual collection of geographically granular broadband coverage data; create a comprehensive database of broadband serviceable locations to create new coverage maps; and establish processes for challenges to the coverage data and accepting crowdsourced information to help inform the FCC of potential inaccuracies. The FCC has adopted several more orders implementing the provisions of the act.
The FCC’s new broadband map will be based on a Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, a foundation upon which detailed broadband availability will be displayed. Each location will have a unique FCC-issued identifier based on geographic coordinates, to aid in the ongoing effort to provide the most accurate data possible. Providers will report detailed broadband deployment data for locations where they provide service or could provide service within 10 business days. Consumers and industry stakeholders will be able to challenge both the locations as well as the availability of service at each location.
The data in the FCC’s new broadband map will be used to help distribute not only future USF high-cost funding, but also the broadband deployment funds made available by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (e.g., NTIA’s Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Program).