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Residents Encouraged to Challenge FCC Broadband Map Bell County, TX The federal government plans to invest billions of dollars bringing high speed internet to American homes. Bell County officials want to do everything possible to ensure that Bell County families benefit from that investment. In the coming weeks, county officials are urging residents review a map created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, if they find inconsistencies, challenge them. “The amount of money that is being dedicated to expanding rural access to broadband represents a once-in-a-generation investment,” County Judge David Blackburn said. “I want to see Bell County residents benefit by this investment of federal tax dollars.” The FCC Broadband Map shows that every area of Bell County currently has access to broadband service. Nevertheless, county leaders know that this is often not the case. “I have heard from many residents, who have looked at their home on the map and have seen a list of ISPs that claim to have them covered,” Judge Blackburn said. “However, when they contact those providers, they are hearing that those companies don’t actually serve their address or the speeds that the companies represent do not reflect reality.” “This is exactly the kind of feedback that we need to provide the FCC,” Blackburn said. “Without it, they can’t know that Bell County is not fully served in terms of high-speed internet access.” The FCC Broadband Map was initially developed using data reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), but it was always intended to be a living document. Leaders in the FCC have committed to work on verifying as much of the map as they can. They continue to receive new data and updates from ISPs, but they are quick to point out that the most critical need is for members of the public to offer their insights. Residents are encouraged to visit the map and check what type of broadband it shows is available at their address. If they discover any information about broadband service that is incorrect, they can submit an Availability Challenge. Additionally, residents can conduct speed tests to provide better data about their service availability. For more information, residents can visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov.
Bell County, TX The federal government plans to invest billions of dollars bringing high speed internet to American homes. Bell County officials want to do everything possible to ensure that Bell County families benefit from that investment. In the coming weeks, county officials are urging residents review a map created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, if they find inconsistencies, challenge them.
“The amount of money that is being dedicated to expanding rural access to broadband represents a once-in-a-generation investment,” County Judge David Blackburn said. “I want to see Bell County residents benefit by this investment of federal tax dollars.” The FCC Broadband Map shows that every area of Bell County currently has access to broadband service. Nevertheless, county leaders know that this is often not the case.
“I have heard from many residents, who have looked at their home on the map and have seen a list of ISPs that claim to have them covered,” Judge Blackburn said. “However, when they contact those providers, they are hearing that those companies don’t actually serve their address or the speeds that the companies represent do not reflect reality.”
“This is exactly the kind of feedback that we need to provide the FCC,” Blackburn said. “Without it, they can’t know that Bell County is not fully served in terms of high-speed internet access.”
The FCC Broadband Map was initially developed using data reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), but it was always intended to be a living document. Leaders in the FCC have committed to work on verifying as much of the map as they can. They continue to receive new data and updates from ISPs, but they are quick to point out that the most critical need is for members of the public to offer their insights.
Residents are encouraged to visit the map and check what type of broadband it shows is available at their address. If they discover any information about broadband service that is incorrect, they can submit an Availability Challenge. Additionally, residents can conduct speed tests to provide better data about their service availability.
For more information, residents can visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov.