View a pdf of this press release here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brittany-Rae Gregory
brittany-rae@nextcenturycities.org
Next Century Cities Files Reply Comments Reiterating
The Importance of Accurate Broadband Data
And The Need To Improve Data Collection Methods
Washington D.C. (October 6, 2020) – Next Century Cities (“NCC”) submitted reply comments in collaboration with Common Cause and Public Knowledge in the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) proceeding on whether broadband is being deployed to all Americans in a timely fashion. The agency’s findings will be distilled into its 2021 Broadband Deployment Report.
The October 5th reply comments can be accessed here. Click here to review the joint filing submitted on September 18th.
Next Century Cities has worked to show the profound impact that overstatements in broadband availability have on unserved and underserved communities. According to Ryan Johnston, Next Century Cities’ Policy Counsel:
“High-speed, reliable access to broadband is no longer a luxury that any American can afford to live without. The Commission has the opportunity to make changes to its data collection procedures that could bring government reporting in line with the lived experiences of those struggling to get or remain connected.
“The Commission understands and has stated that its current data collection methods are inaccurate. Current mapping vastly overestimates the availability of broadband services, especially in rural and low income areas. If the Commission wishes to stay true to its mandate and accelerate broadband deployment, it must put in place protocols that help to ensure that the proper resources are made available to the communities that need them the most.”
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Next Century Cities is a non-profit organization of over 200 communities, founded to support communities and their elected leaders. Our membership includes mayors and other officials who are working to ensure that all have access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet access. For more information, visit www.nextcenturycities.org .