NTIA has put out a request for comment on how to improve the quality and accuracy of data on broadband availability. The agency, the White House's chief telecom policy advisor, said its goal is to "identifying gaps in broadband availability that can be used to improve policymaking and inform public investments. "
The issue of identifying where is much on the minds of Washington policymakers as the Administration tries to boost broadband deployment, particularly in rural areas.
Related: NTIA Updates BroadbandUSA
In fact, at about the same time NTIA was issuing the request, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was agreeing to extend the challenge window on its mobile broadband availability map to better dispense the $4.5 billion-plus in subsidies it is providing over the next decade.
NTIA, which is reclaiming the government broadband mapping effort from the FCC, was directed in a recent omnibus appropriations bill to improve the accuracy of data, particularly in the rural areas.
Comments are due by 5 p.m., July 16.
NTIA says it wants to hear from private industry, academia, federal, state, and local governments, non-profits, and others.
