Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Rural Wireless Access Act of 2017”.
Rural Wireless Access Act of 2017
A BILL
To direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a methodology for the collection by the Commission of mobile service coverage data.
Sec. 2 Methodology for collection of mobile service coverage data
In general— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate regulations to establish a methodology that shall apply to any collection by the Commission of coverage data relating to commercial mobile service or commercial mobile data service.
Requirements— The methodology established under subsection (a) shall—
contain standard definitions for different speed tiers (such as the 2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, and 5G tiers);
ensure that data is collected in a consistent and robust way;
improve the validity and reliability of data; and
increase the efficiency of data collection.
Definitions— In this section:
Commercial mobile data service— The term “commercial mobile data service” has the meaning given such term in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401).
Commercial mobile service— The term “commercial mobile service” has the meaning given such term in section 332 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332).
Coverage data— The term “coverage data” means, with respect to commercial mobile service or commercial mobile data service—
information regarding whether such service is available in a particular geographic location in the United States; and
if such service is available, information about such service, which may include available speed tiers and performance characteristics.