Nevada senators call on FCC to fix broadband map

U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto on Thursday called on the Federal Communication Commission to fix the Nevada broadband map they say will cheat the state out of badly needed Internet expansion funding.

The Nevada Democrats said the broadband map posted by the FCC doesn’t provide an accurate depiction of broadband availability in the state.

“This mapping plays a major role in decisions about the distribution of broadband infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” they said.

They described the draft maps as “deeply flawed,” raising serious concerns about the potential negative impacts on funding to improve Nevada’s broadband access. Unless fixed, they said that could cost the state millions in funding designed to provide essential broadband service to Nevadans.

They added the state’s broadband office has concerns with the current challenge process to get the maps fixed because it is based on assumptions that put the onus on consumers to engage with providers rather than practical access to high-speed services to service.