The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has cited 11 telecoms for failing to file mandatory broadband availability and subscription data. The Commission requires all facilities-based providers of fixed or mobile broadband internet access service to submit availability and subscription data into the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) system biannually. The agency says the data is essential for the Commission to publish “complete, precise, granular data on the availability of fixed and mobile broadband nationwide.”
The Commission says it sent multiple notices to the companies. They are: A.C.T.S. LLC; City Wireless; Community Cable and Broadband LLC; Crazy Communications, LLC.; Fiberspark Inc.; Gila Broadband LLC; Internet Service, Inc.; Lake Linx Inc.; Simple Fiber Communications LLC; Wifast, LLC; Community Cable and Broadband LLC and Telecast Communications, LLC.
The Commission also collects subscription data for broadband and voice services using FCC Form 477 which is also submitted through the BDC system. Form 477 filings include broadband service speed and subscriber information that the FCC uses to assess the state of broadband availability in the United States, and to take steps to further the goal of increasing that availability.
The FCC, other federal agencies, and state and local governments use the broadband data to target funding for high-speed internet services to unserved and underserved locations. A broadband provider’s failure to report timely and accurate broadband availability “significantly hinders” the effort to provide subsidies through various funding programs, says the FCC in the Orders.
The Orders require the 11 cited companies to submit the required data within 30 days. If they don’t, the agency may impose fines.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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