November 15, 2019

Manchin Speaks At West Virginia Broadcasters Association Meeting With FCC Chairman Pai On Rural Broadband Coverage

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai today attended a meeting with the West Virginia Broadcasters Association to discuss broadband coverage in West Virginia.

“In 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the rural electrification program to bring electricity to communities across America. In 2019, the fight to bring reliable broadband to rural communities across the nation is just as important. Without access to the internet, citizens can’t learn, apply for jobs, run businesses, or give back to their communities. The sad fact is that many places in West Virginia simply do not have access to reliable broadband and the lack of access affects West Virginians every day. Thank you to the West Virginia Broadcasters Association for inviting Chairman Pai to join us in West Virginia and to FCC Chairman Pai for joining us today,” said Senator Manchin.

The meeting gave Senator Manchin the opportunity to discuss West Virginia’s need for reliable broadband access, and highlight the importance of conducting speed tests in order to create accurate coverage maps that determine how much federal broadband funding West Virginia receives. Senator Manchin also stressed that rural areas should not be left behind in the deployment of new technologies like 5G. 

Since July, Senator Manchin has sent 106 speed test letters submitted by constituents from across West Virginia to FCC Chairman Pai to highlight incorrect broadband coverage maps. Until the FCC establishes a user-friendly public feedback mechanism to allow West Virginians to help validate the FCC’s coverage data, Senator Manchin will continue to send speed test results to Chairman Pai. If you would like Senator Manchin to send your own speed test results to the Federal Communications Commission please email a screenshot of your speed test (if possible) along with the following information to speedtest@manchin.senate.gov.

  1. The name of the speed testing application used (i.e: Ookla, FCC speed test application, NACo’s TestIT application, WV Broadband Enhancement Council’s speed test etc.)
  2. The type of device used to take a speed test (i.e: Apple iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy, laptop etc.)
  3. Type of broadband service (fixed or mobile)
  4. Name of provider
  5. Address of area tested
  6. Latitude and Longitude (if available)
  7. A brief description of the challenges you have experienced due to your lack of broadband service

Or, if you are unable to email this information due to lack of service, please send the information above to his Washington, DC office:

Senator Joe Manchin III

306 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510