FCC Establishes Broadband Data Task Force

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday established a task force to implement long-overdue improvements to the agency’s broadband and mapping tool.

Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also named Jean Kiddoo as chair of the new Broadband Data Task Force and announced other senior staff.

The announcement, made at Wednesday’s open commission meeting, was accompanied by a staff update on the agency’s current broadband data collection efforts.

“The Broadband Data Task Force will lead a cross-agency effort to collect detailed data and develop more precise maps about broadband availability,” Rosenworcel said. “I thank Jean and her team for their willingness to take on this vitally important project.”

The Broadband Data Task Force will also feature Chelsea Fallon, as senior implementation officer, and C. Sean Spivey, as senior counsel.

Fallon currently serves as chief of the Data Division in the FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics and has led the agency’s implementation of the Broadband DATA Act. Spivey currently serves as an assistant bureau chief in the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

The Broadband Data Task Force will closely coordinate the Commission’s broadband mapping and data collection efforts across the various expert agency teams, including the Office of Economics and Analytics, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, International Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and Office of the Managing Director.

Each of these teams is essential to the effort of ensuring the Commission, state and local governments, Tribal entities, and consumers will have access to granular nationwide information on the availability and quality of broadband services, the FCC said.