February 28, 2018

MANCHIN ENCOURAGES WEST VIRGINIANS TO REVIEW FCC MAP TO ENSURE IT REFLECTS ACCURATE BROADBAND COVERAGE

Washington, D.C. – Following the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) release of the Mobility Fund II Initial Eligible Areas Map, Senator Manchin is urging communities across West Virginia to review the map and make sure it accurately represents the coverage on the ground. Last year, the FCC answered Senator Manchin’s call to provide $4.53 billion to expand mobile broadband coverage through Mobility Fund II. The Initial Eligible Areas Map is a critical step towards determining the areas that are eligible to receive this support. However, any state or local government that believes the map overstates the broadband coverage levels currently available can submit a challenge to ensure Mobility Fund II accurately targets the unserved and underserved communities across West Virginia.

“We all know that in order to succeed in our 21st century economy West Virginians need access to reliable, high-speed internet,” Senator Manchin said. “I applaud the FCC for answering my call to move forward on the Mobility Fund Phase II, but we only have one chance to get this right. I encourage every West Virginian to take a minute and look at this map. If the map depicts coverage that you do not have contact your local officials, the state, or my office so we can submit a challenge. I won’t stop fighting until every corner of West Virginia has reliable, affordable broadband service.”

To view the eligible areas map released by the FCC click here.

To learn more about how to challenge the FCC map click here.

Senator Manchin’s Efforts on the Mobility Fund

September 22, 2015: Senator Manchin sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, urging him to move on the Mobility Fund, which would ensure that the states with the lowest rates of advanced wireless penetration received the most funding, and inviting him to WV.

July 11, 2016: Senator Manchin, along with Senator Roger Wicker and 24 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Chairman Wheeler urging the FCC to move on the Mobility Fund.

October 11, 2016: Senator Manchin hosted Chairman Wheeler in West Virginia to meet with key stakeholders from West Virginia’s communication technology sector and talk about the importance of the Mobility Fund.

January 25, 2017: Senator Manchin and FCC Commissioner Clyburn published an op-ed on the importance of the Mobility Fund in a 21st century digital economy.

February 2, 2017: Senator Manchin, along with Senator Wicker, and 28 of their colleagues, sent a letter to Chairman Pai again urging the FCC to move on the Mobility Fund.

February 23, 2017: Senator Manchin praised the FCC, after it votes unanimously to move forward with Phase II of Mobility Fund, which prioritizes mobile broadband deployment in rural and underserved communities and protects small internet service providers from burdensome regulations.

April 12, 2017: Senator Manchin and Senator Wicker sent a letter to the FCC urging their Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force to move forward with the Mobility Fund using accurate maps.

August 3, 2017: FCC votes on Mobility Fund Order to begin the process of providing $4.53 billion over ten years to expand mobile broadband deployment.

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