A half dozen consumer and public interest groups have sent a letter to Federal Communications Chair Julius Genachowski offering a list of priorities for policy changes in broadband data collection.

The groups are asking the FCC to require all providers to report census block-level broadband availability data. The FCC is currently collecting data that will be used to create a national broadband plan.

Ben Scott
Policy Director
Free Press

In addition to broadband availability, the groups say the FCC should look at other critical broadband data such as speed, price, cost, revenue, location and capacity.  This data can be used to create a clear picture of the nation’s information infrastructure, market competition and consumers’ online experience.

The groups that signed on to the letter include Free Press, Consumer Federation of America, New America Foundation, Media Access Project, Public Knowledge and Consumers Union.

"The FCC needs a short-term plan of action for broadband data collection," said Ben Scott, policy director at Free Press.

"We are offering these policy changes as priorities for the public interest. We applaud the agency for its focus on data collection and look forward to working with the Commission on these issues."