Calif. Lawmaker Rips ISPs' Response to Data Request
California Assemblymember Jim Wood (D) is troubled by big ISPs not providing all broadband deployment data sought by the California Public Utilities Commission, he said at a partially virtual California Middle Mile Committee hearing Friday. Seeking address-level data for a…
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state map required for California’s $6 billion broadband effort, the CPUC is considering actions against eight ISPs including AT&T, Verizon and top cable companies, which raised privacy and confidentiality concerns with providing certain information (see 2206160065). “It is important for us to know that these areas that the carriers are saying are served are truly served,” said Wood, characterizing ISPs’ defense as “privacy, blah, blah, blah.” If the big companies’ insufficient response “imperils this project ... and doesn’t get coverage to people who need it, it's a huge disservice and we need to hang that around their necks because it is not appropriate.” CPUC President Alice Reynolds agreed with Wood. “We do understand confidentiality is a concern but the CPUC is very experienced protecting confidential information,” she said. "This data is very essential for the state” and “really critical to our success here.” The California Technology Department agrees, said Mark Monroe, Broadband Middle-Mile Initiative deputy director. "We definitely need to have that data to make sure we're targeting all of the right areas.” Cable companies “hear you,” California Cable and Telecommunications Association General Counsel Jacqueline Kinney responded during a public comments round. CCTA members will work to provide data “consistent with both state and federal law related to broadband mapping” and state and federal consumer privacy laws, said Kinney, noting this year’s data request was different from what the CPUC previously sought. ISPs significantly overstate their coverage, said Patrick Messac, project manager for OaklandUndivided, a partnership that includes the mayor’s education office. “I do struggle with the argument that the ISPs are concerned with consumer data.”