Title: Map Improvement Act of 2019
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Map Improvement Act of 2019
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a standardized methodology for collecting and mapping accurate fixed and mobile broadband internet service coverage data.
The FCC must form an Office of Broadband Data Collection and Mapping to serve as the central point for data collection, aggregation, and validation. In addition, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration must establish a technical assistance program for providing grants to assist with mapping and development and to assess both broadband adoption rates and advertised pricing.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4128 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4128

To improve the collection and aggregation of fixed and mobile broadband 
        internet service coverage data, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 30, 2019

  Mr. Lujan (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Michael F. Doyle of 
Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To improve the collection and aggregation of fixed and mobile broadband 
        internet service coverage data, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Map Improvement Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary'' 
        means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications 
        and Information.
            (2) Broadband internet service.--The term ``broadband 
        internet service''--
                    (A) means mass-market retail service by wire or 
                radio that provides the capability to transmit data to 
                and receive data from all or substantially all internet 
                endpoints, including any capabilities that are 
                incidental to and enable the operation of the 
                communications service;
                    (B) includes any service that the Commission finds 
                to be providing a functional equivalent of the service 
                described in subparagraph (A) or that is used to evade 
                the protections set forth in part 8 of title 47, Code 
                of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and
                    (C) does not include dial-up internet service.
            (3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
        Communications Commission.
            (4) End user.--The term ``end user'' means any individual 
        or entity that uses a broadband internet service.
            (5) Fixed broadband internet service.--The term ``fixed 
        broadband internet service'' means--
                    (A) a broadband internet service that serves end 
                users primarily at fixed endpoints using stationary 
                equipment; and
                    (B) includes fixed wireless services, including 
                fixed unlicensed wireless services, and fixed satellite 
                services.
            (6) GIS.--The term ``GIS'' means geographic information 
        systems.
            (7) Mobile broadband internet service.--The term ``mobile 
        broadband internet service'' shall have the meaning given such 
        term by the Commission for purposes of this Act.
            (8) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, 
        territory, or possession of the United States, and each 
        federally recognized Indian Tribe.

SEC. 3. COLLECTION AND MAPPING OF FIXED AND MOBILE BROADBAND INTERNET 
              SERVICE COVERAGE.

    (a) Standardized Methodology Rule.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Commission, in coordination with the 
        Assistant Secretary, shall promulgate a final rule to establish 
        a standardized methodology for collecting and mapping accurate 
        fixed broadband internet service and mobile broadband internet 
        service coverage data in the United States, which shall--
                    (A) ensure that coverage data for fixed broadband 
                internet service and mobile broadband internet service 
                is collected in a standardized, consistent, and robust 
                manner;
                    (B) improve the validity and reliability of 
                coverage data;
                    (C) increase the efficiency of coverage data 
                collection;
                    (D) contain standard definitions for different 
                speed tiers, such as the 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE tiers 
                and the equivalent for fixed broadband internet 
                service;
                    (E) ensure that the collection and validation 
                process occurs on a regular basis; and
                    (F) establish a standardized ongoing validation 
                process and public feedback mechanism that will allow 
                for consumers, State and local officials, and broadband 
                internet service providers to submit data to the 
                Commission to verify coverage data from broadband 
                internet service providers and challenge any aspects of 
                such data believed to be inaccurate.
            (2) Considerations.--In promulgating the rule required 
        under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider--
                    (A) coordinating with the Postmaster General, the 
                heads of other Federal agencies that operate delivery 
                fleet vehicles, and the Director of the Bureau of the 
                Census for assistance with data collection and the 
                feasibility of using more granular address level data; 
                and
                    (B) creating 1 centralized national map with 
                multiple layers, including a layer each for fixed 
                broadband internet service and mobile broadband 
                internet service, which may be used in determining 
                eligibility for all Federal broadband internet service 
                grant, loan, and subsidy programs.
            (3) Establishment of office.--The Commission shall 
        establish an Office of Broadband Data Collection and Mapping 
        within the Commission to serve as the central point of 
        collection, aggregation, and validation of data collected under 
        the standardized methodology established under this subsection.
    (b) Technical Assistance Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish a 
        technical assistance program under which the Assistant 
        Secretary shall provide grants to State and local entities, 
        such as regional planning organizations, to--
                    (A) assist such entities with mapping and the 
                development of a GIS-based map of existing fixed 
                broadband internet service and mobile broadband 
                internet service; and
                    (B) assess current broadband internet service 
                adoption rates and advertised broadband internet 
                service pricing in the community.
            (2) Use of funds.--Funds received under this subsection--
                    (A) shall be used to--
                            (i) carry out the activities described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) participate in the standardized 
                        ongoing validation process and public feedback 
                        mechanism described in subsection (a)(1)(F); 
                        and
                    (B) may be used to purchase GIS software and for 
                technical assistance with that software.
            (3) Other uses for gis software.--A grantee may use GIS 
        software acquired using funds received under this subsection 
        for other purposes in addition to broadband internet service 
        mapping.
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