What is “Verified” Availability Data?
“Verified” data will be determined by the Commission based on whether the data have been submitted by an entity that is primarily responsible for mapping or tracking broadband service coverage, including whether the entity specializes in gathering and/or analyzing broadband availability data and whether the submitter has demonstrated that it has employed a sound and reliable methodology in collecting, organizing, and verifying the availability data it is submitting. The Commission will not accept broadband coverage data that a governmental entity has simply collected directly from a broadband provider without any further actions taken to validate the accuracy of these data.
What Must Verified Availability Data Contain?
To the extent a governmental entity chooses to file verified data during a biannual BDC filing window (i.e., June 30 through September 1, and December 31 through March 1), the availability data must reflect coverage as of the applicable BDC as-of date (i.e., June 30 or December 31). The entity must submit the data in the same system and under the same parameters as broadband providers. This means they must format their data according to the requirements set forth in the Data Specifications for Biannual Submission of Subscription, Availability, and Supporting Data and include all required information and certifications, including a certification by a certified professional engineer that he or she is employed by the governmental entity and has direct knowledge of, or responsibility for, the generation of the entity’s verified availability data.
Authentication.
For governmental entities to submit verified availability data, the Commission must first authenticate that a filer is a state, local, or Tribal governmental entity that is primarily responsible for mapping or tracking broadband internet access, and that the filer “specializes in gathering and/or analyzing broadband availability data.”
- First, all governmental entities must use the Commission Registration System (CORES) to register for a unique, 10-digit FCC registration number (FRN). Filers that do not currently have an FCC Username and Password must create an account on the FCC User Registration System.
- Entities that do not currently have an FRN must register for an FRN by logging into the Commission Registration System (CORES) using an FCC Username and Password and selecting “Register New FRN.”
- Entities with an existing FRN need to ensure that the entity type associated with their FRN in CORES is either “State or Local Agency” or “Tribal Government Agency,” and a valid EIN is associated with their FRN, where applicable.
- For more information about or support with CORES and FRNs, see CORES Help, Frequently Asked Questions, or Tutorial Videos available by visiting fcc.gov/licensing-databases/commission-registration-system-fcc.
- Second, state and local governmental entities (and, if applicable, Tribal governmental entities) must submit to the FCC a letter from the highest-ranking official for the unit of government identifying the agency (by name and FRN) as the entity primarily responsible for mapping or tracking broadband coverage for that unit of government. The letter must be filed in the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) in WC Docket Nos. 19-195 and 11-10 no later than 45 days prior to the opening of a BDC filing window.
- For a state or territory entity, the letter must be filed from the highest-ranking senior state executive (e.g., governor or equivalent official, such as the Mayor of the District of Columbia). It must contain the name and FRN of the state entity.
- For a local entity, the letter must be filed from the highest-ranking senior executive for the county, city, or other locality (e.g., County Executive or Mayor). It must contain the name and FRN of the local entity seeking to submit verified availability data, and a declaration that the letter’s signatory is the highest-ranking executive official for the jurisdiction.
- For a Tribal entity, the letter must be filed from an elected Tribal leader of the Tribal government. If, however, a Tribal government does not have a designated entity primarily responsible for mapping or tracking broadband coverage, then it is only required to register in the CORES and BDC systems as described in step one, above.
For more information about authentication, please see the Guidance Issued to Government Entities Filing Verified Data in the BDC.