Later this month, Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development is poised to challenge the existing FCC broadband maps, reported Minn Post. The agency’s maps determine which areas are eligible for funding through the federal BEAD program based on access to broadband service.
Many unserved areas in Minnesota are reportedly missing from the maps according to the state agency. In addition to inaccuracies with underserved areas, some customers with broadband access say the speeds indicated on the map are inaccurate (250 Mbps), with speeds being far lower (9/1 Mbps) than reported by the Commission.
The 30-day window for input/challenges begins on July 22. Minn Post reported that local and tribal governments, broadband service providers, and nonprofits can submit challenges to the map. Individuals can’t submit a change but can provide documentation through a portal. A third party (Connected Nation) will review claims and determine whether a larger challenge can be submitted to the FCC.
According to the Office of Broadband Development, the challenge process should conclude within 90 days: 30 days for challenging, 30 days for rebuttal, and 30 days for adjudication. The process should be wrapped up in November, allowing the NTIA to approve the state’s final broadband proposal in the first half of 2025. The first completed projects should be ready in 2030, allowing for four years of construction, reported Minn Post.
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