*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 43793.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: November 9, 2004 Mark Wigfield, 202- 418- 0253 Email: mark. wigfield@ fcc. gov FCC IMPROVES DATA COLLECTION TO MONITOR NATIONWIDE BROADBAND ROLLOUT Agency Also To Collect Better Information About Rural and Underserved Areas Washington, D. C. – The Federal Communications Commission voted today to collect additional information about the nationwide availability of broadband and local telephone competition in order to better monitor the status of these critical services. To better track the dynamics of rural and underserved markets, the Commission will require all facilities- based carriers to report, regardless of their size. In the past, reporting thresholds exempted some carriers from filing with the commission. This change will provide the Commission with accurate and comprehensive information to monitor broadband deployment and competition in local telephone and mobile telephone markets in rural areas. In addition, broadband providers will be required to provide more detailed information on the speed and nature of their service. The rules also establish broadband- over- power line as a separate category in order to track deployment more closely. To better assess broadband availability, incumbent telephone and cable companies will be asked to report the extent to which their DSL and cable modem service is available where they provide phone or cable television service. The Commission will require local telephone companies, known as local exchange carriers or LECs, to report how many of their local service customers also subscribe to the LEC’s long distance service. The data will help the Commission understand how bundling affects local telephone service competition. The Commission extended its so- called “Form 477” local telephone competition and broadband data gathering program for five years beyond its March 2005 expiration date. The Commission found that the data will improve the ability of policymakers to develop, evaluate and revise policy in the rapidly changing areas of broadband deployment and local telephone competition. The Wireline Competition Bureau will work over the next several months to develop an outreach program to reach entities not previously covered by the Form 477 program. 1 Action by the Commission November 9, 2004, by Report and Order (FCC 04- 266). Chairman Powell, Commissiners Abernathy, Copps, Martin, and Adelstein. Separate statements issued by Chairman Powell, Commissioners Copps and Adelstein. Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Ellen Burton, 202- 418- 0958, ellen. burton@ fcc. gov. -FCC- News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www. fcc. gov. 2