FCC’s New Broadband Fabric Now Governs High-Cost Program Oversight

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2025 – A key federal dataset used to track broadband access in the U.S. took effect Friday, now serving as the baseline for oversight of billions in federal broadband funding.

The Federal Communications Commission’s updated broadband location dataset, known as the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric, will now serve as the official reference point for verifying deployment obligations under programs like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Alternative Connect America Cost Model, and broadband efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“The Fabric remains the most accurate picture of BSLs the Bureau has available to date,” the Wireline Competition Bureau said in its final order adopted January 10, with the Fabric taking effect on April 4. “Delaying the Bureau's alignment of high-cost funding support with Fabric locations is not in the public interest.. it would risk delaying deployments, leaving locations unconnected, and increase the potential for duplicative funding.”