PA Broadband Authority Submits Bulk Challenge to FCC Broadband Map

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Executive Director Brandon Carson announced that approximately 35,000 locations have been submitted as part of a bulk challenge to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map. The challenge will prompt the FCC to work directly with internet service providers to review the information submitted and update the map accordingly. 

“Submitting these challenges to the FCC is the next step in the federal funding allocation process,” Carson says. “In addition to the Authority’s efforts to prepare a bulk challenge, we have also been urging all Pennsylvanians to review their information on the map. Submitting these inaccuracies will help ensure Pennsylvania receives adequate federal funding for high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth.” 

While updates to the National Broadband Map will be a continual process, the bulk challenge submission is the best opportunity for Pennsylvania’s data to be considered as part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s state broadband funding allocations, anticipated in summer 2023. 

The authority plans to continue to partner with internet service providers and communities to verify and update information to ensure that the FCC’s map has the most up-to-date information for Pennsylvania. The data will help to inform investments in broadband infrastructure across the commonwealth. Click here for the press release. Click here to learn more and view the map.