Echoing concerns raised by its members regarding overstated Verizon 4G LTE coverage as it relates to the Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) challenge process, the Rural Wireless Association, Inc. (RWA) has filed a Request asking the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the 4G LTE coverage claimed by Verizon and require re-filing of the company’s data to correct its overstated coverage.

Filings by a coalition of radio frequency engineers and Panhandle Telecommunications Systems, Inc. have expressed serious concerns regarding the inaccuracy of Verizon’s stated 4G LTE coverage and the impact of such reported coverage on the MF-II challenge process and auction and the availability of support. Noting that Verizon’s stated 4G LTE coverage in the Oklahoma Panhandle could be overstated by more than 50 percent, RWA’s request echoes those concerns and urges Commission action.

“Commission review of Verizon’s claimed coverage is critical,” said RWA General Counsel Carri Bennet. “Our participating small rural carrier members estimate that it will cost them each $1 million dollars or more to complete the challenge process – a figure that could be dramatically reduced and used for deployment of rural broadband services if Verizon’s reported coverage was accurate.”