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Maps, the Challenge Process, and the BEAD Grant Award Process

This page is a historical reference to how the Nevada County Broadband Committee worked with the Arkansas Broadband Office in completing the map challenges part of the BEAD Grant Program.
Most of the notes and hyperlinks in this page are no longer useful.

ARConnect, the Arkansas State Broadband Office, determines which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) receive grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build internet infrastructure and at what locations.

Maps from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration BEAD Program (NTIA), the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) (updated every six months) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are the underlying resources that ARConnect is using to create their map that leads to bidding and eventually the awarding of grants that fund the building of internet infrastructure to every location.


Here are the key factors in the "challenge" process, followed by a description of the underlying FCC maps and the data contained on them.

ARConnect Map "Challenges"

One of the most important aspects of the "access" pillar of broadband for a county broadband committee is an understanding of which locations in the county have broadband access and which locations do not, according to federal and state mapping. If these maps are not correct, under-connected neighbors and businesses may not get broadband access.

ARconnect, which is implementing the BEAD program in Arkansas, is using the FCC, BDC and NTIA maps of locations as the guideline for funding. The ARConnect map is released to the general public to view for one week prior to being released to participants in the "challenge process". Location are marked as "served", "underserved", or "unserved". A process is being set up to "challenge" the map data for a location . That way, ARConnect can get the maps right for funding.

Broadband Mapping Challenge Process
The process relies upon this map, color-coded as follows:

• Red: "Unserved" and designated for BEAD funding
• Blue: "Underserved" and designated for BEAD funding
• Gray: "Served" with at least 100/20 speed and not eligible for new funding. Locations that don't actually have this speed should create a "challenge" to the map's accuracy!
• Green circle around a '$': "Funded" and not eligible for new funding (unless the ISP has decided to not provide service).

ARConnect wants to know if this information is incorrect:

• If a location shows "served" (100/20 or more), but is actually "underserved" or "unserved" (less than 100/20), the location needs to be challenged!
• If a location shows to be "served" but the ISP quotes installation charges above "standard", the location needs to be challenged! Example: a long drive to a house a distance from the road where service is located.
• A "green" dot, but the ISP has declared they do not plan to service the location, the location needs to be challenged!

If a location does not have a dot, the "challenge" process does not have capability to correct that problem. We can only hope that an ISP in your area will provide service to you.

The BEAD Program Volume I outlines the grounds for challenges and comments:

1. Planned or Existing Service: Locations where broadband service currently or will soon be deployed (not funded by federal or state grants)
   Essentially, The challenger has knowledge that broadband will be deployed at this location by June 30, 2024, without an enforceable commitment or a provider is building out broadband offering performance beyond the requirements of an enforceable commitment.
   This is an ISP-level challenge, and since ISPs are permitted to make challenges, this is beyond the role of the local broadband committee.
2. Enforceable Commitment: Locations marked as funded, but are actually outside the grant money that was awarded.
   Essentially, the challenger has knowledge that broadband will be deployed at this location by the date established in the deployment obligation.
   This is an ISP-level challenge, and since ISPs are permitted to make challenges, this is beyond the role of the local broadband committee.
3. Provider Service Level: Locations where the available broadband service shown on the map is incorrect (Availability, Speed, Latency, Data Cap, Technology
   Here are the grounds on which "Provider Service Level" can be challenged:
   • Availability: The broadband service identified is not offered at the location, including a unit of a multiple dwelling unit (MDU).
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Screenshot of provider webpage.
     • A service request was refused within the last 180 days (e.g., an email or letter from provider).
     • Lack of suitable infrastructure (e.g., no fiber on pole).
     • A letter or email dated within the last 365 days that a provider failed to schedule a service installation or offer an installation date within 10 business days of a request.
     • A letter or email dated within the last 365 days indicating that a provider requested more than the standard installation fee to connect this location or that a Provider quoted an amount in excess of the provider standard installation charge in order to connect service at the location.
     This is the challenge for when the map shows "Served" and the location is actually "Unserved" or "underserved".
   • Speed: The actual speed of the service tier falls below the unserved or underserved thresholds.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Speed test by subscriber, showing the insufficient speed and meeting the requirements for speed tests.
     • ARConnect provides a speed and latency test suite that gathers required documentation. Complete the online test at least 3 times over a 7-day period, enter required information, and upload a copy of the internet bill in order to create a challenge.
     This is the challenge for when the speed test shows a measurement of speed between a device and a test server, using a device's internet connection, and that speed does not meet 80% of the 100/20 minimum.
   • Latency: The round-trip latency of the broadband service exceeds 100 ms.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Speed test by subscriber, showing the excessive latency.
     • ARConnect provides a speed and latency test suite that gathers required documentation. Complete the online test at least 3 times over a 7-day period and enter required information in order to create a challenge.
     This is the challenge for really slow responses after the time of request.
   • Data Caps: The only service plans marketed to consumers impose an unreasonable capacity allowance data cap on the consumer.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Screenshot of provider webpage.
     • Service description provided to consumer
     This challenge is appropriate when the internet service provider (ISP) imposes a limit on the amount of data that a consumer can use, typically less than 600GB per month before overage charges are added.
   • Technology: The technology indicated for this location is incorrect. For example, provider says fiber is available but installs DSL or cable.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Manufacturer and model number of residential gateway (CPE) that demonstrates the service is delivered via a specific technology.
     If the infrastructure (copper, coaxial cable, fiber, pole, etc.) is not available at the location, or if costs quoted by an ISP are above the "normal" costs of installation.
   • Business Service Only: The location is residential, but the service offered is marketed or available only to businesses
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Screenshot of provider webpage.
     This is the challenge for residences who can get only higher-priced business services.
   Challenges can be made only by elected officials (members of the General Assembly, County Judges, Mayors, Justices of the Peace, City Council members, and School Board members).
4. Community Anchor Institution Classification: Locations that are incorrectly classified as CAIs or not classified as CAIs. Also, where availability of 1GB service to a CAI is incorrect
   Examples of CAIs include school, library, health clinic, health center) that facilitates greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations. See requirement 6 of the BEAD document further details.
   Here are the grounds on which "CAI" can be challenged:
   • Location is a CAI: The location should be classified as a CAI.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Evidence that the location falls within the definitions of CAIs set by the Eligible Entity.
   • Location is not) a CAI: The location is currently labeled as a CAI but is a residence, a non-CAI business, or is no longer in operation.
     Examples of Documentation Required:
     • Evidence that the location does not fall within the definitions of CAIs set by the Eligible Entity or is no longer in operation.
   This is an CAI-level challenge. CAIs are permitted to make challenges.

Preview of Challenge Map: March 12, 2024 - March 19, 2024
Challenge Phase: March 20, 2024 - April 18, 2024
Rebuttal Phase: April 19, 2024 - May 18, 2024
Adjudication Phase: May 19, 2024 - June 17, 2024
Grants are expected to be made around the first of 2025 with up to three years to buiid. Note that already-awarded grants, such as those from the Rural Digital Equity Fund (RDOF), which have been awarded for most of Nevada County currently in "under-served" or "unserved" areas, are due for completion before the end of 2025.

The Nevada County Broadband Committee Can Help

The Nevada County Broadband Committee can facilitate non-profit and individuals wishing to make challenges.

Please note the ARConnect Challenge Map provides a speed and latency test suite that self-documents most everything needed for a service-level challenge. Please complete that test and you won't need the assistnace of the committee!

In order to create other challenges, the documentation described above, along with the following, is required:

• The address exactly as listed on the ARConnect map.
• A permission statement, such as "I authorize the appropriate elected official to submit this challenge on my behalf". This can be contained in an e-mail or a picture. Just be sure a picture is capable of an OCR scan.
• Contact information including name, address, phone number and e-mail address (e-mail addresses will receive confirmation e-mail message)
• Any other documentation that might be requested by ARConnect

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FCC Maps

Two maps form the basis for the ARConnect map described above. These are NOT the maps to challenge in March-April 2024. Even though the significance of these maps is now diminished, they are listed here for reference since they form the basis of the "challenge map".

FCC Current Availability Map

The FCC has collected data from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). That data is the basis for determining the internet service level at each location.

• Unserved: Less than 25/3
• Underserved: At least 25/3 but less than 100/20
• Served: At least 100/20

Visit https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/
Here are some notes that may be useful in using the map:

• Enter an address until you can choose it from the picklist.
  The address may not be in the database as expected. For example, it might be Hwy instead of US or Ark.
• Once your address is available, zoom in until you can see dots.
  On the left-side toolbar, the last icon is for "Layers" and the "Satellite" view may be more helpful than the default view.
• Once your address appears on the right side, choose the gear icon below it and to the right.
  Under "Technologies", change to "All Wired and Licensed Fixed Wireless".
  Under "Speed", change to "100/20".
• Now, click the dot for your building.
  
• On the right, under your address, you can now see a list of providers, their technology, and speeds. If you have their service, and the listing it not accurate, you can choose "Availability Challenge". Anyone can challenge the FCC map.
• If there is NOT a dot for your building, click the building and the "Challenge Location" dialog appears. Anyone can challenge the FCC map.
• If you are trying to see the dots for a larger area, use your browser's zoom control, typically Ctrl- (zoom out, see more), Ctrl+ (zoom in, get closer) and Ctrl0 (reset to normal view).

FCC Funding Awarded Map

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has collected data from many sources that have provided funding to build internet infrastructure.
Visit https://fundingmap.fcc.gov/
The maps shows Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that have been awarded funding:

• Use basically the same procedures as above map.
• Click a dot to see the ISP and source of funding.

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NevCoNet Maps

The Nevada County Broadband Committee has created some maps to assist us in the challenge process.

Content on this web site is coordinated by Co-Chairpersons:

Mary Godwin, Director, Nevada County Economic Development Office, MGodwin@PNPartnership.org

Website by Danny Stewart, DStewart@DannyAStewart.com