A message from the Cranberry Township Manager:
Cranberry Township residents, as you may be aware, in this past year we have undertaken efforts to have providers expand reliable broadband service to all areas of Cranberry Township, and we have partnered with the Cohen Law Group to spearhead our efforts. This process has been slow and frustrating. We have been recently made aware that the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) recently released its pre-production draft broadband maps, which the FCC describes as “the first step in a long-term effort” to map broadband on a national scale. Importantly, these maps will serve as the baseline of information for determining how federal broadband expansion funding is distributed to states and local governments. We encourage you to explore the data reported in the FCC’s maps for your addresses and, if necessary, submit disputes via the proper process. The accuracy of the maps are important both for obtaining funding as well as for the FCC’s monitoring of broadband service expansion by providers. As providers have historically over-reported service availability, filing challenges can be a critical step to ensure that residents and businesses without adequate service are not being left behind by misrepresentation or inaccuracy. The FCC mapping can be accessed at this link: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home
How to Review and Challenge:
The maps are searchable by address. The results for a given address will show both the fixed broadband (fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, or fixed wireless) and mobile broadband (3G, 4G, and 5G wireless) coverage and providers that have been reported for that address, as well as the available speeds alleged by those providers. If that reported information is inaccurate – for example, if a provider has reported service as being available where it is not – then a resident can dispute the reported information by clicking on the Availability Challenge link on the right side of the map and submitting the form.
If you believe the information on mobile coverage submitted by a provider is incorrect, then you can dispute that information by taking outdoor (or in-vehicle) speed tests on your mobile phone with the FCC’s Speed Test App, which is available in the Google Play Store for Android devices, and in the Apple App Store for iPhone and other iOS devices. Search for “FCC Speed Test” to find and download the App.
We strongly encourage that all residents access the provided link and check your address. If you feel that the information provided on the map is incorrect, please take the next step and review and challenge. These steps will be critical in our efforts to obtain funding to get reliable broadband and cellular services in all areas of Cranberry Township.
Thank you and any questions can be directed to Township Manager Eric Heil at 814-676-8812, or by e-mail at eheil@twp.comcastbiz.net