Broadband coverage reported by providers to CPUC must be validated by the public it serves.
SACRAMENTO–This week, Governor Newsom signed AB 286, legislation by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) which will improve the accuracy of the currently publicly available maps on the California Public Utilities Commission’s website that reflect the location of broadband service in the state as reported by broadband service providers.
“Today's broadband maps only reflect where providers say they have the capacity to serve an address, without verification or input from the households that it claims to serve,” said Wood.
This new law will expand the map to allow individual customers to self-report important information such as the speed of their service, how much they pay for service, the level of customer satisfaction and barriers to broadband access.
“AB 286 bill will absolutely make this data more meaningful,” said Wood. “This crowd-sourced validation of information will ensure that what broadband companies are reporting accurately reflects the users’ experience and gives us more information about the services being provided and, more importantly, where they are not accurate.”
In July 2021, Governor Newsom signed broadband legislation, SB 156, to accelerate the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide by increasing equitable, affordable access to high-speed internet service across California. As part of SB 156, a $6 billion multi-year investment was allocated to improve Californian’s access to broadband coverage.
“California’s historic investment in broadband infrastructure warrants us having the most accurate and detailed information available on broadband service, and one that allows the public to validate that information through their feedback,” said Wood. “We cannot rely on maps that are defined by industry, but unchecked by the people they claim to serve.”
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