Press Releases

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend its challenge period on the new National Broadband Map. This map is used to guide rural broadband improvement and expansion investments through the FCC’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

On November 18, 2022, the FCC released its new National Broadband Map. The release triggered an eight-week challenge period, which ends on January 13, 2023. During the challenge period, the FCC collects feedback and challenges from across the country, which will guide the development of its final map and investments.

However, during this time, local leaders and residents in New York’s 19 ^th Congressional District have raised concerns that the FCC’s challenge period, which included the 2022 holiday season, has provided insufficient time to thoroughly review the map, collect data, and prepare challenges. As a result, the final map may be inaccurate or have existing coverage gaps. In a letter to the FCC , Rep. Molinaro joined Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) and 24 other Members of Congress in calling on the FCC to extend the challenge period deadline to ensure interested communities have their voices heard.

Rep. Molinaro said, “Far too many families and businesses in Upstate New York still lack reliable access to the internet. These coverage gaps are unacceptable and limit our community’s potential. There are federal funds available for rural broadband and we have to make sure our communities get their fair share. By extending the deadline for the FCC’s new National Broadband Map, we can make sure rural communities in Upstate New York have time to make their voices heard.”

Rep. Molinaro represents New York’s 19th Congressional District. The District includes Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Tioga, and Tompkins counties as well as part of Otsego County and Ulster County.

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