The FCC is looking to change how they collect data on broadband access and availability. This is great as their previous methods have been questioned and without good data it’s hard to figure out what needs to happen first and where it needs to happen.

Here are basics of the change as taken from the Introduction from their recently released report:

We modify Form 477 to require broadband providers to report the number of broadband connections in service in individual Census Tracts. In order to generate an even more complete picture of broadband adoption in the United States, we propose additional methods to add to the data reported by Form 477 filers, including a voluntary household selfreporting system, and a recommendation to the Census Bureau that the American Community Survey questionnaire be modified to gather information about broadband availability and subscription in households.

To further improve the quality of collected data, we adopt three additional changes to FCC Form 477. First, we require providers to report broadband service speed data in conjunction with subscriber counts according to new categories for download and upload speeds. These new speed tiers will better identify services that support advanced applications. Second, we amend reporting requirements for mobile wireless broadband providers to require them to report the number of subscribers whose data plans allow them to browse the Internet and access the Internet content of their choice.5 Finally, we require providers of interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (interconnected VoIP)
Service to report subscribership information on Form 477.

It’s a hard job to please everyone with something like this. As a librarian, I have to say I question the validity of anything that is self-reported. But I also know sometimes it’s the only info you can get. I know how creative I can become when giving my weight on my driver’s license. It’s not that I want to lie – it’s the undue hardship of getting to the truth.

Also I think it’s optimistic to count on voluntary reporting from consumers – but I don’t have a better plan. Asking folks for more granular information – both in terms of area covered and bandwidth will get better numbers. So, while it’s not perfect I think the improvements are indeed improvements.