WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2024 – Rural wireless carriers want the Federal Communications Commission to conduct its own testing of mobile coverage in rural parts of the country before approving a $9 billion program aimed at expanding mobile wireless access.
The 5G Fund for Rural America has been in limbo since 2020, but the FCC heard comments on some procedural updates last year, and commissioners have been considering proposed implementing orders since March. The FCC’s plan is to hold a reverse auction in which providers bid to offer 5G service with the lowest subsidy support.
Rural Radio Association Wrote a letter to the FCC On Monday, the agency said the improved broadband maps still overstated the major wireless providers’ 5G coverage and that the process for challenging mobile coverage data is harder than for fixed broadband data, one of several concerns the group has. others The funds raised through the authorities’ 5G fund procedure will: Keep the flag up.
“[T]”Due to issues with the mobile challenge process, the FCC portal does not successfully accept bulk mobile challenges, effectively prohibiting rural carriers from submitting cognizable bulk mobile challenge data,” the RWA’s lawyers said. Carrie Bennett and Stephen Sharbaugh I wrote it.
For its part, the FCC released a speed test app this summer to crowdsource mobile coverage data and improve its maps.
The RWA wants to use some of its planned $9 billion 5G fund allocation to road test rural coverage through third-party vendors, and has also proposed using postal vehicles and school buses to collect some of that data.
“This would eliminate the need for a challenges process and increase efficiency by allowing operators to redirect funds that would have been spent on challenges towards further building out 5G,” the groups wrote.
The group said in-car coverage data should be used to determine eligibility (rather than data that assumes a stationary, outdoor user). Mike Conrow It is stated Recent Newslettersthe largest number of locations covered, based on current FCC data. CTIA, which represents major 5G carriers, said: Has been promoting A more conservative outdoor fixed model.
Some broadband providers asked the F.C.C. The federal government has called for a further delay in launching the fund, with INCOMPAS and ACA Connects pushing officials to wait years to fully build out the Biden administration’s $42.5 billion broadband expansion program. Wireless companies are at least seeking a chance to comment before the current draft order, which has yet to be made public, is adopted.
