Broadband Map Needs Improvement, Breakfast Club Panelists Say
Better data and accuracy is needed as the National Broadband Map continues to evolve, panelists said at a Broadband Breakfast Club briefing Tuesday. Better broadband data is key to national policies as well as support of ongoing broadband initiatives at the state and local level, they said.
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Collecting broadband pricing information is a key element missing from the National Broadband Map (CD Feb 18, p2), said Sascha Meinrath, director with the Open Technology Initiative at the New America Foundation. The first step to closing the broadband gap is “doing a better job documenting what’s happening on the ground,” he said. Updating broadband data will be an ongoing effort as consumers and communities verify the information, said Wendy Mann, a director with NTCA. She urged more communications from communities to improve broadband data collection. Meanwhile, wireless isn’t the only way to reach universal broadband, she emphasized. Wireless needs wireline infrastructure, she said. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for closing the digital divide, said Anna Gomez, NTIA deputy administrator. NTIA seeks to identify the most effective way to share best practices as many NTIA stimulus projects move forward, she said.
Some questioned the accuracy of the broadband map, which appeared to be display issues, said Tom Koutsky, chief policy counsel with Connected Nation. States are using broadband maps to inform and shape local broadband planning efforts, he said. Combined with adoption research, the maps would support state and local broadband adoption and utilization projects across the country, he said. Mapping information would also help move forward the universal service find revamp, he said. He’s optimistic that USF has “a fighting chance."
Looking for sustainable broadband opportunities after stimulus programs and sharing best practices are important, said Maynard Scarborough, a vice president of One Economy. The National Technology Adoption Advisory Council, a bi-partisan council under One Economy with some 80 elected state and local officials, seeks to help facilitate new broadband initiatives and develop strategic sustainable broadband adoption, he noted. Debra Berlyn, executive director of the Project to Get Older Adults Online, urged more focus on analyzing seniors’ day-to-day online behavior, in addition to research on broadband-enabled services like telemedicine. Affordable mobile devices and tablets often provide an easier way than computers for seniors to get online, she noted.