December 06, 2019

Manchin Sends FCC Chairman 41 More Speed Test Results From Across West Virginia To Highlight Need For Public Feedback System

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), today sent 41 letters to Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with results from speed tests submitted by constituents from across West Virginia to highlight incorrect broadband coverage maps of West Virginia and support the need for the formation of a public feedback system to better assess broadband coverage across rural states like West Virginia. In total, Senator Manchin has sent 147 letters from 33 counties to FCC Chairman Pai to highlight speed test results he received from West Virginians who do not have access to reliable broadband service.

Wednesday’s investigative report issued by the FCC on the Mobility Fund II Process underlined the importance of these speed tests and proved Senator Manchin’s challenges to broadband coverage maps were correct. The FCC report concluded that the major carriers have been overstating their coverage, particularly in rural communities.

The letter said in part, “While I am encouraged to hear that your agency is planning to implement a formal public feedback mechanism to improve broadband coverage maps, the people of West Virginia need help now.  Until a more viable process is established, I will be providing you with real coverage data from people on the ground in West Virginia and a brief description of the challenges they face personally, professionally, and economically as a result of their unreliable broadband service.”

The letter continued, “West Virginia is a wonderful place to live with vibrant, caring communities that value connection. However, the lack of broadband access is having a devastating impact on residents' ability to work, learn, and connect in my state. Ironically, the same things that attract people to live and work in my beautiful state - our tall mountains, lush forests, rolling hills and roaring rapids - make broadband deployment astronomically expensive.”

The letters can be read here.

Until the FCC establishes a user-friendly public feedback mechanism to allow West Virginians to help validate the FCC’s coverage data, Senator Manchin will continue to send speed test results to Chairman Pai. If you would like Senator Manchin to send your own speed test results to the Federal Communications Commission please email a screenshot of your speed test (if possible) along with the following information to speedtest@manchin.senate.gov.

  1. The name of the speed testing application used (i.e: Ookla, FCC speed test application, NACo’s TestIT application, WV Broadband Enhancement Council’s speed test etc.)
  2. The type of device used to take a speed test (i.e: Apple iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy, laptop etc.)
  3. Type of broadband service (fixed or mobile)
  4. Name of provider
  5. Address of area tested
  6. Latitude and Longitude (if available)
  7. A brief description of the challenges you have experienced due to your lack of broadband service

Or, if you are unable to email this information due to lack of service, please send the information above to his Washington, DC office:

Senator Joe Manchin III

306 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510