Following Calls From Senator Maggie Hassan and Others, FCC Chairman Pai Extends Mobility Fund Challenge Process

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announced today that he plans to extend by 90 days the challenge process to help correct maps of broadband coverage that are used to determine the distribution of up to $4.53 billion in support for rural wireless broadband expansion in New Hampshire and across the country over the next 10 years.

Chairman Pai’s announcement comes as a response to a bipartisan letter Senator Hassan sent with others and legislation that Senator Hassan introduced with Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), ?expressing concern that there are significant flaws in the current mapping, which inaccurately show that certain areas have mobile broadband coverage in New Hampshire when facts on the ground prove otherwise. This issue persists across the country.

See below for highlights of coverage:

Politico Pro: FCC's Pai urges more time to challenge inaccurate wireless data

By John Hendel

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai anticipates extending the window for challenging the accuracy of broadband maps that will determine eligibility for billions in wireless subsidies, bowing to heavy Capitol Hill and industry pressure.

Pai is directing FCC staff to give mobile carriers and state and local governments an additional 90 days to challenge the maps, he told lawmakers in a letter today. Maps of existing wireless coverage and speeds will determine where providers can bid to win 4G LTE subsidies under the FCC's Mobility Fund program, amounting to $4.53 billion over the course of the next 10 years.

 …Lawmakers feared that areas they represent could be wrongly excluded from the auction of subsidy funds. State, local and tribal governments "may remain unaware or unprepared" to enter a challenge, a group of 30 senators led by Sens. Roger Wicker, Maggie Hassan and Jerry Moran wrote in a letter today.

 …Pai's concession follows intense bipartisan pressure from Capitol Hill. Senators recently introduced legislation to clarify the challenge process and extend the window for it.

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