FCC BDC Overview

Beginning September 1, 2022 the FCC requires broadband availability to be reported either by serviceable addresses (the so-called Data Fabric) or by polygons (shapefile) in a BDC filing. Broadband service providers must submit BOTH the FCC's Form 477 and the Broadband Data Collection filing. Both reports are due semi-annually on September 1 for the period of January 1-June 30 and March 1 for the period of July 1-December 31.

Coverage data must be generated externally using whatever means deemed appropriate and then provided to BillMax as polygons on a per Access Point (PON etc) basis or at least as frequent as the unique technology and speed specification. These polygons will be associated with the FCC required meta-data (speeds, technology code, etc.) from BillMax or this meta-data may be provided with the polygons. In BillMax the serviceable addresses (Fabric Data) will be loaded and BillMax merge this data spatially to produce the needed CSV report files.

To be able to generate the CSV report files, Service and Package definitions must have valid FCC settings. Users must have a valid Latitude, Longitude and Census values that fall in the coverage area. Towers must have a valid Latitude and Longitude. Access Points must have FCC settings. Coverages have valid FCC meta-data if provided and there must be a coverage for each technology. The Provider ID and Brand Name(if not provided in shape files) must be provided to BillMax. After all data is validated and no errors remain, the FCC BDC CSV files will be generated so that they can be uploaded to the FCC web site.