2017 Rural Wireless Access Act, S.1621

S.1621 — Rural Wireless Access Act of 2017


Summary, emphases, and [comments], below, by Scientists For Wired Technology (‘S4WT’).

Bill Summary: S.1621

The Bill states the following:

  • To establish a methodology for the collection by the Commission of information about commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service

  • To ensure that coverage data is collected in a consistent and robust way

  • This Bill seems to be misnamed, as there is nothing specific to Rural areas in the bill; the data collection applies nationwide.

S.1621 Bill Text

115th CONGRESS, 1st Session

To require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a methodology for the collection by the Commission of information about commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 24, 2017
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Barrasso, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Moran, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL To require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a methodology for the collection by the Commission of information about commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Rural Wireless Access Act of 2017”.

SEC. 2. Methodology for collection of mobile service coverage data.

(a) Definitions. — In this section —

   (1) the term "commercial mobile data service" has the meaning given the term in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401));

47 U.S.C. 1401: (8) Commercial mobile data service. The term "commercial mobile data service" means any mobile service (as defined in section 153 of this title) that is —

(A) a data service;

(B) provided for profit; and

(C) available to the public or such classes of eligible users as to be effectively available to a substantial portion of the public, as specified by regulation by the Commission

   (2) the term "commercial mobile service" has the meaning given the term in section 332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d));

47 U.S.C. 332(d): (1) the term "commercial mobile service" means any mobile service (as defined in section 153 of this title) that is provided for profit and makes interconnected service available

(A) to the public or

(B) to such classes of eligible users as to be effectively available to a substantial portion of the public, as specified by regulation by the Commission.

   (3) the term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission;

   (4) the term "coverage data" means, if commercial mobile service or commercial mobile data service is available, information about the service, which may include available speed tiers and performance characteristics; and

(5) the term “Universal Service program” means the universal service support mechanisms established under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) and the regulations issued under that section.

(b) Methodology established. — Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate regulations to establish a methodology that shall apply to the collection of coverage data by the Commission for the purposes of—

   (1) the Universal Service program; or

   (2) any other similar program.

(c) Requirements. — The methodology established under subsection (b) shall—

   (1) contain standard definitions for different speed tiers, such as the 2G, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE tiers;

   (2) ensure that coverage data is collected in a consistent and robust way;

   (3) improve the validity and reliability of coverage data; and

   (4) increase the efficiency of coverage data collection