All residents and businesses are encouraged to check the accuracy of federal map
(Some information below has been provided by Indiana Broadband, Office of the Lt. Governor of Indiana.)
Broadband funding from the U.S. government has been based, for several years, on a map created and managed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This map, referred to as the “FCC map”, is meant to show internet services currently available in every corner of every state in the nation. It has been the standard used to determine eligibility for federal funding to expand high speed internet services through grants and other programs.
Unfortunately, many stakeholders who use the map believe it is significantly flawed. Some allege that internet service providers have been able to claim that they can provide high speed services in an area, yet those who use the service claim they are not able to enjoy the speeds “advertised” by the provider(s). Such inaccuracies are believed to directly affect the distribution of funding, leaving some unserved and underserved areas unfunded.
Now is the time for residents and businesses to challenge the map and add addresses!
Although public challenges to the map will be accepted on a rolling basis, there is a short window for a challenge to affect more federal funding coming available soon. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recommends submitting challenges before January 13, 2023, to make it into the version that will be used for the next round of funding, to be announced by June 30, 2023. If the full scope of unserved locations in Indiana is not reflected on the map by that time, Hoosiers may not benefit from their full share of funding.
Broadband Mapping Timeline
Your voice can be heard!
The new FCC map, once updated, will be used as a starting point to determine federal and state grant eligibility. Hoosiers have the opportunity to avoid looking back and saying “the map is incorrect. It says I have service and I don’t!” By updating the map now, Hoosiers can enable a provider to apply for and receive grant funds to expand broadband to their neck of the woods.
Reporting errors on the map
Users can dispute reported coverage as part of a challenge process in two ways:
- A location challenge asks users for supporting documents to verify that a location has been incorrectly identified on the map, either service-wise or location-wise.
- Through an availability challenge, users may dispute that a provider is actually servicing their location as indicated on the map.
Location: If your location is missing or inaccurately reflected on the map, you may submit a Location Challenge to correct or add the location. The link to correct information on an existing location is to the right of the address on the map. First, add your location by clicking on the place on the map where the location should be, then clicking the “Challenge Location” button that pops up. (See video below.)
Is your home/business included on the map?
Is it in the correct location?
Is the unit count correct (apartments, multi dwelling units)?
Does it appear as a serviceable location, or one not subscribing to mass market broadband subscriptions?
Availability: Availability Challenges can correct the information reported by internet service providers (ISPs) if inaccurate. Challenges can be based on several reasons, including that the provider denied a request for service, demanded excessive connection fees, or failed to schedule an installation within 10 business days of a request.
Once a challenge is filed, providers are required to review the challenge and either concede or dispute it. The provider is expected to communicate and work directly with the user to resolve any challenges that it does not initially concede. If a provider either concedes a challenge or fails to rebut it, the challenged services will no longer show as available for that location on the FCC maps. If a provider disputes a challenge, then the FCC will decide the outcome.
Other useful resources:
Earnie Holtrey
Deputy Director of the Indiana Broadband Office
Phone: 317.775.2660
Email: eholtrey@ocra.in.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianaBroadband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/INBroadband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Indianabroadband/
Website: https://www.in.gov/indianabroadband/
For more information or assistance in Noble County, contact Be Noble Inc. at (260) 636-3800.
