Shapefiles for Broadband Mapping Mean Fewer Unserved False Positives, Charter Says

The "shapefiles" approach to broadband mapping has advantages over requiring providers submit customer locations to an FCC database or a third party, since it wouldn't see people who have opted not to get broadband labeled as unserved, Charter Communications blogged Tuesday. It said using address-level data would miss rural areas that don't have traditional street addresses, and requiring providers submit customer addresses to a third party or the FCC risks the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive consumer information. The cable industry is pushing shapefiles, which are electronic maps showing actual service area contours (see 1903220036).