Webinar On The Broadband Data Collection System For Tribal Filers and Leaders
The webinar reviewed the BDC system for Tribal leaders, Tribal broadband internet service providers and other Tribal filers who will submit broadband availability data in the inaugural BDC filing window, and answered participant questions. The webinar amiliarized filers with how to navigate the BDC system, how to access and work with the “Fabric” – a common dataset of all locations in the United States where fixed broadband internet access service can be installed and will serve as the foundation on which the availability data filed by fixed broadband providers will be overlaid – and how to submit availability data. Representatives of Tribal broadband internet service providers and IT managers, as well as Tribal government leaders and telecommunications regulators, were particularly encouraged to attend.
Facilities-based internet service providers, including Tribal providers, are required to file granular data in the BDC system on where they make mass-market broadband internet access service available starting on June 30, 2022 and ending on September 1, 2022.
Authorized Tribal governmental entities may also submit verified broadband availability data for their areas. More information about the categories of providers that must file availability data, the entities that may also submit verified availability data, and what data must be filed can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/BroadbandData/filers.
The webinar provided a brief overview of the BDC system, including how to access the BDC system (and related systems, such as the Commission Registration System, or CORES) and upload availability data for filing prior to September 1. The event also helped familiarize participants with the Fabric data, including providing information on the processes by which Tribal broadband providers and Tribal government entities may obtain access to the production Fabric, how to work with Fabric data when submitting fixed broadband availability data, and how to review the Fabric to prepare for submitting challenges to the data.
The “production” Fabric dataset became available for broadband providers and governmental entities to access on June 23, 2022. The FCC developed the Fabric in consultation with its contractor, CostQuest Associates. More information about the Fabric challenge process can be found in the Data Specifications for Bulk Fabric Challenges, https://us-fcc.app.box.com/v/bdc-bulk-fabric-challenge-spec.
FCC staff was available to answer participant questions.
The schedule for the webinar was as follows:
- 2:00 – 3:30 PM Welcome; Overview of the Broadband Data Collection system and Fabric data; Technical Assistance
- 3:30 – 4:00 PM Q&As and Concluding Remarks
The webinar was recorded and wil be made available on the FCC’s website and YouTube channel following the event. The webinar was webcast with open captioning at www.fcc.gov/live.