The FCC announced a public workshop for December 10 at 3:00 EST to describe the process for challenging the FCC cellular data maps. Here is a link for registering for the session, although I have to think a recording of it will be made available afterwards. The primary purpose is to discuss how local governments can submit bulk challenges to the FCC cellular data map.

In September, the FCC announced a new $9 billion 5G Fund for Rural America that will be used to bring cell towers to rural areas with poor coverage. To qualify for new towers, an area must have no 5G coverage today or have 5G speeds below 7/1 Mbps.

The FCC announced it would launch the 5G Fund in 2025 using the current FCC cellular maps. The data for these maps is collected twice per year in the same process used to create the FCC broadband maps. The FCC cellular maps seem to be far worse than the broadband maps have ever been. In the few dozen counties I have looked at, the existing FCC maps badly overstate 5G coverage. My observations are supported by comments from the Rural Wireless Association (RWA), which represents smaller cellular companies, which told the FCC that the cellular maps are highly inaccurate.

I’m not entirely sure why the FCC is holding this online meeting. If the FCC launches the 5G Fund using the current maps, then many counties with poor coverage will not be considered for expanded new cell sites. It’s pure speculation on my part that perhaps the FCC wants feedback from the public for cellular coverage. Many parties, including me, filed comments at the FCC asking to give local governments a chance to provide inputs to the maps.

While the FCC hasn’t officially said they are pausing the 5G Fund, that is something that might naturally happen with a change in leadership at the FCC. Perhaps this FCC meeting about map challenges is a sign the FCC is pausing the 5G Fund effort.

The FCC has a bulk speed test process that local governments, tribes, or consumer groups can conduct. The rules are complicated. The speed tests can’t be taken from an iOS phone (Apple). The speed tests must spread across each hexagonal area in the FCC map (about one square kilometer each). Speed tests have to be taken at different times of the day. The speed tests must conform to the same parameters used for individual speed tests. Probably the hardest compliance issue is that there must be separate tests for each cellular carrier, since each claims a different coverage footprint. That means having testers subscribed to each carrier, each willing to take many tests in the areas where coverage is suspected to be poor. The last kicker is that, as everybody knows, it’s impossible to take a speed test in an area that has no coverage – something the FCC rules seem to ignore.

I think it’s worthwhile for local governments to consider organizing a bulk speed test. Plans are routinely put on hold at the FCC every time there is a new Chairman. It’s possible that the 5G fund won’t launch for a while and that bulk speed tests might influence where that funding goes.