New Broadband Maps 'Vital,' EBB Outreach Needed: Rosenworcel

Broadband maps "are not what they should be," said FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel during a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus virtual panel Wednesday. It's "vital" the FCC start developing maps with more precise data, Rosenworcel said, adding that universities have an opportunity to participate: "There's no one better equipped to start telling us if in fact there's service in a place or not" (see 2102260046). Total connectivity should be a "national goal," Rosenworcel told the congressional caucus, citing affordability as a "huge crisis" in the digital divide. The emergency broadband benefit program is a "really terrific tool we have now to get more students connected," Rosenworcel said. "The most important thing is that we get the word out," about EBB and other COVID-19-related broadband programs, she said, and the commission partnered with the Department of Education to send email notices to Pell Grant recipients about their EBB eligibility.