Press Releases

Today, two bipartisan broadband bills cosponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman passed the U.S. House of Representatives. These proposals would improve federal support for rural broadband buildouts in the most unserved and underserved areas of our nation.

“Representing and living in a truly remote area of Michigan, I understand the need for expanded broadband infrastructure. However, inaccurate mapping data has impaired the FCC’s ability to decide who should receive funding. Current mapping methods leave our unserved and underserved communities at risk of being overlooked. This legislation helps us take a step forward to directly address connectivity issues that limit opportunity for the First District, and other remote communities,” said Congressman Bergman.

H.R. 4229 – Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act and H.R. 4227 – Mapping Accuracy Promotes Service (MAPS) Act passed the House by voice vote. 

The Broadband DATA Act would make the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) requirements for broadband data collection more accurate and standardized to produce accurate broadband maps used in funding decisions. Similarly, the MAPS Act increases accountability by making it illegal to knowingly report inaccurate broadband mapping data to the FCC.  Improved broadband mapping will level the playing field for rural and remote areas, such as in Michigan’s First Congressional District, when applying for federal funding.

Background:

In May 2019, Congressman Bergman led the Michigan delegation in a letter to the FCC requesting more granular, standardized, and transparent broadband data mapping requirements.

You can read the letter here.

In August 2019, the FCC announced it would begin the process of modernizing broadband mapping.