FCC Releases Form 477 Broadband Deployment Data for the First Time

Don’t Miss JSI’s 477 Webinar on Nov. 18

The FCC made history on Tuesday with the very first-ever release of Form 477 Broadband Deployment Data. The data is released in CSV format on the census block level for fixed broadband (which can be downloaded by state), and on shapefile maps showing mobile broadband coverage by provider and technology. The data is as of December 31, 2014. The FCC notes that providers can make revisions or corrections to previously-filed Form 477 data at any time, and additional versions of the December 31, 2014, deployment data may be released in the future if revised significantly.

JSI’s upcoming webinar, “Form 477 Reporting: Strategy & Implications” on Wednesday, November 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern, will delve into the newly-released 477 broadband deployment data. The FCC has indicated that it plans to use the information collected on the Form 477 to determine which census blocks contain unsubsidized competitors as part of the Alternative Connect America Model (A-CAM) and in other USF policy purposes. Finally having the data available will help rural broadband providers identify if there are competitors in their service areas. On our webinar, we will discuss how you can identify a competitor and preemptively inform the FCC if you believe that the competitor’s broadband deployment data is incorrect.

For questions about the newly-released 477 data or the upcoming webinar, contact Cassandra Heyne, Marty Kluh, or John Kuykendall in JSI’s Maryland office at 301-459-7590.

Source: JSI e-Lert