Overview of Bulk Fixed Crowdsource Data

As part of the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC), service providers, governments, and other entities can submit bulk crowdsource information in response to the fixed broadband availability data reported by broadband providers. The FCC will use crowdsource data to verify and supplement the data published on the National Broadband Maps. For information on how crowdsource data differs from challenges, please see the Differences between Bulk Fixed Availability Challenge Data and Crowdsource Data article.

Submitting Bulk Crowdsource Data

All entities submitting bulk fixed crowdsource data must upload data files in the BDC system. More information about how to prepare these files is discussed in the article: "How to Format Bulk Fixed Challenge or Crowdsource Data." The data files must identify the locations and provider that are the subject of the crowdsource data and the reason for the submission, using one of the reasons listed below:

• Provider can connect the location but not within 10 business days of a request.

• Provider did not install the service at the agreed-upon time.

• Provider requested more than the standard installation fee to connect the location.

• Provider does not offer any service at this location, including with the selected technology.

• Provider does not offer the selected technology for purchase at, or reported the wrong technology for, this location.

• The reported maximum advertised speeds are not available for purchase at this location from this provider and technology.

• Actual speed lower than advertised.

• No wireless or satellite signal is available at the location.

• Provider needs to construct new, non-standard equipment to connect the location (satellite/ fixed wireless only).

• Missing provider.

Note that “actual speed lower than advertised” is a reason that can be submitted for crowdsource data but not challenges. Filers interested in sharing speed test results should use this reason code.

Filers of bulk fixed crowdsource data may, but are not required to, provide evidence supporting the information in their submission.

Bulk Fixed Crowdsource Methodology

All entities submitting bulk fixed availability crowdsource data must enter information, in a web form in the BDC system, about the methodology used to collect their data. There are three options:

1. Knowledge of Infrastructure. The information could be based on knowledge or observations of where network facilities and plant exist, such as on-the-ground examination of broadband infrastructure, building permits, or rights-of-way.
2. Information Collected from Individual Consumers. This option would be based on information collected from individual consumers about their broadband service.
3. Other. Any methodology not based on the first two options. With this option, contact details must be provided for the individual associated with each challenge.

The fields that must be entered in the web form are listed in the table below. Note that if methodology is “Information Collected from Individual Consumers” or “Other,” then the contact information fields listed below are not collected via this form but will be collected in the upload file.