Broadband Mapping and Data

Connected Nation and BroadbandCensus.com to Debate in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, October 1, 2009 – Top officials from Connected Nation, BroadbandCensus.com and One Economy will discuss key issues in broadband data and mapping – including controversial questions about public disclosure of carrier information on broadband maps – here on Thursday.

Drew Clark

Oct 1, 2009 — 2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The debate will take place at the annual conference of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and will feature Phillip Brown, National Policy Director of Connected Nation; Drew Clark, Executive Director of BroadbandCensus.com; and Ken Eisner, Managing Director of One Economy Ventures.

The description for the panel reads as follows:

It has been said that you can’t analyze what you can’t measure. Broadband mapping has the potential to provide policy makers and citizens with information needed to develop effective strategies around broadband deployment and adoption. Mapping projects in a number of states have raised concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and the accuracy and usefulness of the information developed. Speakers representing a variety of interests will discuss pros and cons of the nation’s mapping projects and will evaluate the Federal Government’s efforts to date.

BroadbandCensus.com has long urged that broadband mapping be conducted in a public and transparent matter, and that broadband data must also serve the underlying goal of providing enough information to stimulate broadband adoption by consumers.

In particular, BroadbandCensus.com has long urged that data about the carriers that offer broadband service, on a Census block basis, should be publicly identified.

“I look forward to the opportunity to engage with Connected Nation on the key role that public and transparent data must play in developing a national broadband map,” said Clark.

Clark, a well-respected telecom, media and technology journalist who has covered the industry for more than 15 years, founded BroadbandCensus.com as means for consumers to interact with such a growing public and transparent broadband database.

BroadbandCensus.com announced its alliance with NATOA in July 2008, and developed an online system allowing NATOA members to record detailed information about local broadband deployments for the public to view. Such information is vital to a transparent, competitive and universally accessible internet.

Brian Mefford, President and CEO of Connected Nation, had been scheduled to appear on the panel at NATOA, but was replaced by Phillip Brown.

About BroadbandCensus.com

BroadbandCensus.com was launched in January 2008, and uses “crowdsourcing” to collect the Broadband SPARC: Speeds, Prices, Availability, Reliability and Competition. The news on BroadbandCensus.com is produced by Broadband Census News LLC, a subsidiary of Broadband Census LLC that was created in July 2009.

A recent split of operations helps to clarify the mission of BroadbandCensus.com. Broadband Census Data LLC offers commercial broadband verification services to cities, states, carriers and broadband users. Created in July 2009, Broadband Census Data LLC produced a joint application in the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program with Virginia Tech’s eCorridors Program. In August 2009, BroadbandCensus.com released a beta map of Columbia, South Carolina, in partnership with Benedict-Allen Community Development Corporation.

Broadband Census News LLC offers daily and weekly reporting, as well as the Broadband Breakfast Club. The Broadband Breakfast Club has been inviting top experts and policy-makers to share breakfast and perspectives on broadband technology and internet policy since October 2008. Both Broadband Census News LLC and Broadband Census Data LLC are subsidiaries of Broadband Census LLC, and are organized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. About BroadbandCensus.com.