Broadband planning for this area

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) is working on two new plans to serve the needs of the community relating to broadband. Under the direction of Washington State University Extension and the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) the CWCOG has initiated work on a Broadband Action Plan for Cowlitz County and is also working on a Countywide Digital Equity Plan. These plans are required to receive funding for broadband improvements from certain federal and state programs. Local public agencies and some private Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will become eligible recipients once the plans are complete and incorporated into the statewide plans.

The goals of the effort will include getting fiber to every home in the county and enhancing the ability to access broadband services for those household that desire the service. These plans will provide a local framework for planning and implementing projects to expand broadband infrastructure and promote digital equity for everyone in our communities.

The local action plans will support the state’s local coordination efforts required under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Act (DEA) programs established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This local coordination will provide WSBO the local input and data they need to ensure that the implementation of these programs serves Washingtonians for decades to come.

The combined funding pool of $2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act established two programs – the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and Digital Equity Competitive Grant. Both programs aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital society. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) established a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to determine the allocation of funding to each state.

If you are a member of a group serving any of the covered populations or have interest in participating in this effort, please contact me at 360-577-3041. We are specifically interested in reaching the covered populations for the Digital Equity Act. A covered population includes (under 150 percent fed poverty level, aging adults, incarcerated, or formerly incarcerated, Veterans, disabled, ethnic minorities, rural area residents, and learning barrier individuals), it also covers underserved populations such as children and youth in foster care, and individuals experiencing housing instability.

Part of the overall process to improve broadband in the region includes providing local input into the federal mapping processes that seek to identify areas that are not currently served by broadened services. The following information was provided by Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office regarding the process to challenge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maps.

Internet access is essential to participating in today’s digital world. The FCC has released a draft National Broadband Map showing where internet service is – and is not – available across the country, including Washington state.

The FCC is relying on you—individuals, local governments, tribal entities, and organizations—to review your location on the map and challenge the information if you believe it is inaccurate. The initial deadline has passed but your input can still add value to local broadband development efforts.

The initial draft maps are based on where internet service providers report they offer service. Your participation in the challenge process helps build a more accurate map that will identify the communities most in need of high-speed broadband investments—and ensure they receive their fair share of government funding to expand internet access.

How to Submit Individual Challenges

• First, look up your address on the map at https:// broadbandmap.fcc.gov/ o If you do not have an address, you can enter a town name and state, or select “Location” underneath the search bar. You can zoom on the map to find a particular location. o You can base a challenge on several reasons, including that the provider denied a request for service, does not offer the reported speeds, demanded excessive fees, or failed to schedule a requested installation within 10 business days. o Providers are expected to communicate and work directly with you to resolve challenges that they do not agree with. If a provider disputes a challenge, then the FCC will make the final decision. If decided in your favor, then the provider must update its information so that the map does not show the location as served. o You can correct a location by clicking on the Location Challenge link to the right of the address on the map. o You can add a location by clicking on the place on the

• Availability Challenge. If the information on the map about the available internet services is inaccurate, you can dispute it by clicking on the Availability Challenge link on the right side of the map and submitting the form.

• Location Challenge. If your location is missing or inaccurately reflected on the map, you may submit a Location Challenge to correct or add the location. The FCC will review and decide on your submission.

For more CWCOG, see page 9