Press Release
Consumer Groups Call for FCC Action on Data Collection
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Today, six consumer and public interest groups sent a letter to FCC Chair Julius Genachowski presenting a list of priorities for policy changes in broadband data collection. The letter calls for the completion of an open proceeding that would expand collection of broadband availability data and for the coordination of data-collection efforts between the NTIA broadband grant programs and the FCC.
The letter commended Genachowski's recent commitments to bring a fact-based and data-driven focus to the FCC and offered three key recommendations for the agency to make good on its promise:
The groups that signed on to the letter include Free Press, Consumer Federation of America, New America Foundation, Media Access Project, Public Knowledge and Consumers Union.
"The FCC needs a short-term plan of action for broadband data collection," said Ben Scott, policy director at Free Press. "We are offering these policy changes as priorities for the public interest. We applaud the agency for its focus on data collection and look forward to working with the Commission on these issues."
Read Free Press' letter to the FCC: www.freepress.net/files/August_Data_Letter.pdf
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
The letter commended Genachowski's recent commitments to bring a fact-based and data-driven focus to the FCC and offered three key recommendations for the agency to make good on its promise:
- Issue a Report and Order Revising Form 477. The Commission should require all providers to report census block-level broadband availability data. This data is necessary for effective broadband policy at the FCC and aligns with the data collection plans at the NTIA.
- Coordinate with the NTIA on Data Collection. The FCC should coordinate with the NTIA to access the data submitted to the NTIA's mapping program, as authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This data will be valuable for formulating the National Broadband Plan and other policy work at the FCC in the coming months. The FCC should also collaborate with the NTIA to address any problems relating to uniformity and standardization of data collection by NTIA state grantees.
- Conduct a Wide Review of Broadband Data Collection. In addition to broadband availability, the FCC should look at other critical broadband data such as speed, price, cost, revenue, location, capacity and middle-mile data. This data can be used to produce a complete picture of the nation's information infrastructure, market competition and consumers' online experience.
The groups that signed on to the letter include Free Press, Consumer Federation of America, New America Foundation, Media Access Project, Public Knowledge and Consumers Union.
"The FCC needs a short-term plan of action for broadband data collection," said Ben Scott, policy director at Free Press. "We are offering these policy changes as priorities for the public interest. We applaud the agency for its focus on data collection and look forward to working with the Commission on these issues."
Read Free Press' letter to the FCC: www.freepress.net/files/August_Data_Letter.pdf
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
