S. 842 — Introduced in Senate

II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 842 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 14, 2019Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Hoeven) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To improve the mapping of wireless broadband coverage. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Broadband Mapping Act of 2019. 2. Definitions In this Act— (1) the term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission; and (2) the term coverage means wireless broadband coverage. 3. Verification of wireless broadband coverage data (a) Rulemaking Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking to establish a process to use coverage data reported by consumers and State, local, and Tribal government entities to verify coverage data reported by wireless carriers. (b) Consumer data The Commission shall consider including in the process established under subsection (a) a mechanism to incorporate coverage data obtained from consumers through— (1) the FCC Speed Test mobile application, including any successor to that application; and (2) any application through which consumers report coverage data. (c) State, local, and Tribal data The Commission shall consider including in the process established under subsection (a) a mechanism for the Commission to incorporate coverage data obtained from State, local, or Tribal government entities that are primarily responsible for mapping or tracking coverage for a State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe, as applicable. 4. Evidentiary process for fixed and mobile broadband services In addition to the consumer input contemplated under section 3 with respect to mobile wireless coverage data, the Commission shall consider other measures, including, but not limited to, an evidence-based challenge process, to help in verifying coverage data reported by providers of both fixed and mobile broadband services.