Data Central

NTIA, as the President’s principal adviser on telecommunications and information service policy, and as one of the leading Federal agencies in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data relevant to broadband availability and adoption, respectfully comments on this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision making, NTIA applauds the Commission’s efforts to improve the quality, accuracy, and utility of Form 477 data.

NTIA relies on sound data to understand the state of communications and information use in the United States, and to develop policies that promote robust broadband services across the country. Since 1994, NTIA has been collecting data on broadband adoption and usage in the United States. Our work has been complemented in recent years by the Federal Communications Commission’s Form 477 data program.

Broadband providers—including both wired and wireless providers—complete Form 477 to report where they offer service, as well as what speeds they offer and the technologies they use, among other information. The data collected through Form 477 constitute a critical resource for NTIA, as well as other policymakers and researchers who are interested in understanding Internet access in the United States. This week, in response to the FCC seeking ideas for how to improve its Form 477 data collection, NTIA filed comments recommending specific measures the FCC can take to enhance the program.

In the filing, NTIA recommends improvements to two aspects of the Form 477 program. First, the FCC should bolster the accuracy of the broadband availability data. During every reporting period, numerous providers from across the country, using a range of different methodologies, submit data on every Census block they serve. Such extensive data are bound to include some inaccuracies and differences based on providers’ interpretations of reporting instructions.

Since 1994, NTIA has partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to survey American households on their computer and Internet use, with questions that have been updated over time to reflect changing technologies and applications. We ask about locations of Internet use, devices people use to go online, the types of online activities in which they take part, their views on privacy and security, and why some do not use the Internet.