Ark. Official: Broadband Fabric Missed 12,000 Unserved Locations

Arkansas filed two broadband fabric challenges at the FCC because it found about 12,000 unserved locations missed by FCC maps, State Broadband Director Glen Howie said on a Broadband.money webinar Friday. New York state earlier said it filed a challenge for about 32,000 locations it said were unserved but not included in the fabric (see 2210310068). Some states have more capability to file challenges than others, noted Howie. States unable to file challenges could receive less federal funding from NTIA’s broadband, equity, accessibility and deployment (BEAD) program, he said. “You don’t want to get shorted.” Howie said Arkansas broadband office staff is reviewing broadband availability maps released Friday (see 2211180062). “No map ever is 100% perfect or accurate, but it’s a great improvement from what we’ve had before,” said Howie, saying Arkansas looks forward to “investigating that further.” Howie declined to comment on his state’s status for receiving funding for BEAD or digital equity fund planning but said the state is ready to move forward when the shot clock starts running. Pennsylvania and Nebraska received planning funds last week (see 2211170032).