Connect America Fund Broadband Map

CAF Map Release Notes

The Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map) displays the geographic areas that are eligible for CAF support, as well as the specific fixed locations where carriers participating in the program have built out broadband service. The data in the map includes address, latitude and longitude coordinates, carrier name, deployment year and minimum speeds available.

CAF Map 6.2.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 01/25/2024

Feature Updates

Release 6.2.0 incorporates additional columns to the Local Data download file and adds new functionality to the location detail pop-up.

Map Window

Added pagination to the location detail pop-up. This functionality enables users to view information when two or more locations overlap.

Embedded Data Tables

  • Added the following columns to the Local Data download file and updated the order of the columns to match the Open Data dataset:
    • SAC Primary State
    • Overlapping Locations

Miscellaneous

  • Updated the text on the onboarding screen related to location detail pop-up. This informs users about the new functionality to paginate within the pop-up when there are two or more locations reported with the same latitude and longitude.

CAF Map 6.1.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 12/13/2023

Feature Updates

Release 6.1.0 includes HUBB Certified data as of September 30, 2023, replacement of Deployment Year with Filing Year, and changes to the columns available in the data tables.

Map Window

Replaced Deployment Year with Filing Year in the following sections to align with carrier data submission and progress tracking in HUBB:

  • Left slide-out information panel
  • Location pop-up
  • Filter Panel
  • Onboarding

The filters were updated to reflect the latest data for Fund, State, Company Name, Speed, and Filing Year.

Refresh of Eligible areas in the map, including a refresh of Eligible Boundary areas.

Embedded Data Tables

  • The map location points, State, and Local tables currently display certified broadband deployment as of September 30, 2023.
  • Added text to display the data as of date above table header.
  • Replaced Deployment Year with Filing Year in Local Data table and State Data Table to align with carrier data submission and progress tracking in HUBB.
  • Added the following columns to the Local Data download file and updated the order of the columns to match the Open Data dataset:
    • Study Area Code
    • Carrier
  • Added the Study Area Code column to the State Data Table to give users more detailed information compared to the previous view where data was aggregated by Company Name.
  • Updated the following column names in the State Data table to clarify the information each contains:
    • Locations Deployed to Locations Deployed Cumulative
    • Total Support Disbursed to Support Disbursed Cumulative
  • Replaced Milestone Locations Obligation with Total Obligation in the State Data table to give users summary level data by Carrier in a state and fund.
  • Added the following columns to the State Data download file to give users more information related to carrier obligations and milestones:
    • Study Area Code
    • Filing Year
    • Total Obligation
    • Locations Deployed in Filing Year
    • Support Disbursed in Filing Year

CAF Map 6.0.1 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 07/17/2023

Feature Updates

Release 6.0.1 includes an update to the code used in Location Search feature to include US Territories in search results returned.

Map Window

The location search results now display US territory addresses for the following:

  • American Samoa - AS
  • Guam - GU
  • Northern Marianas - MP
  • Puerto Rico - PR
  • Virgin Islands - VI

CAF Map 6.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 07/06/2023

Feature Updates

Release 6.0.0 includes HUBB Certified data as of March 10, 2023, to reflect broadband deployment through Dec. 31, 2022, the addition of the Puerto Rico (PR Fixed) fund data to the CAF Map, and addition of the 118th Congressional Districts layers to the map.

Map Window

  • Updates in the left slide-out information panel to reflect Puerto Rico (PR Fixed) fund summary.
  • Updated the Congressional District boundaries to the 118th Congressional Districts.
  • Updated Congressional district year to 2023 in the Boundaries Controller.
  • Update Legend and Fund filter to reflect new fund shape assigned to Puerto Rico (PR Fixed) Fund.
  • The filters were updated to reflect the latest data for Fund, State, Company Name, Speed and Deployment Year.
  • Updated Eligible areas (fill and boundaries) to reflect the new Puerto Rico (PR Fixed) fund and updates to other funds.

Embedded Data Tables

  • The map and tables currently display broadband deployment data certified by carriers in the HUBB, as of March 10, 2023, to reflect broadband deployment through Dec. 31, 2022.
  • Added column “Deployment Date” to Local Data download file.
  • Sort functionality has been removed from “Download/Upload Speed Tier” column in Local Data table, as sort does not work well with alpha numeric data.
  • Rename “Locations Obligation” column to “Milestone Locations Obligation” for user clarity and alignment with data in the column.

CAF Map 5.2.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 03/24/2023

Feature Updates

CAF Map Release 5.2.0 has added the Share function to the CAF Map. This addition is reflected in the on-boarding slides. Code for tracking web trends was removed.

Map Window

  • The ability to Share URLs has been added to the CAF Map. This feature stores selection applied in filter, Legend, Boundaries, Lasso, and zoom/extent information on the map.
  • Error messages associated with the Share URL have been added.
  • An On-boarding screen has been added explaining the functionality of the Share feature.

Miscellaneous

  • Defunct code for Web Trends has been removed.

CAF Map 5.1.1 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 12/15/2022

Feature Updates

CAF Map Release 5.1.1 consists of updates to the RDOF fund information to reflect the latest fund updates in the left slide-out information panel and update Eligible areas in the state of Maine.

Map Window

  • Updates in the left slide-out information panel to reflect RDOF fund latest fund updates.
  • The eligible areas were updated to address an error in Maine in the previous release.

CAF Map 5.1.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 12/08/2022

Feature Updates

CAF Map Release 5.1.0 consists of an additional CAF Map HUBB data refresh for the month of December, starting the year 2022, to ensure carriers are able to see their most recent certified data. The CAF Map refresh displays data certified in the HUBB as of September 30, 2022.

Map Window

  • Updated CAF Map filters to reflect the new deployment year, new Alaska Plan (AK) speed tiers, and any new states or new company names.
  • Refresh of Eligible areas in the map, including a refresh of Eligible Boundary areas.
  • Added Lasso Tool selection message.

Embedded Data Tables

  • The map location points, State and Local tables currently display certified broadband deployment as of September 30, 2022, including new certified data from the RDOF fund for the year 2022.

CAF Map 5.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 07/11/2022

Feature Updates

Release 5.0.0 includes the addition of the RDOF fund into the CAF Map, the display of tribal boundaries, and identified updates to the functionality of the Map. The CAF Map fund colors, fund filters, and legend were modified to effectively identify and display all funds and tribal boundaries. All location and data tables have been updated with the 2021 data for all displayed funds and new data fields have been added to the local data download file option.

Map Window

  • Included ACAM II Tribal language definition in the left slide-out information panel.
  • Included “Tribal Boundaries (ACAM II)” in the boundaries panel to display on the map.
  • Modified the Legend table and Fund filter to reflect new colors and shapes assigned to the funds.
  • The filters were updated to reflect the new deployment year, new speed tiers, new funds, and new states or new company names.
  • Added Lasso tool functionality to the map.
  • Added RDOF fund to Eligible area (fill and boundaries) to display on the map using the color attribute used across all funds in production.
  • Updated Eligible areas (fill and boundaries) for all funds and fixed the issue in AK Plan and ACAM II funds.

Embedded Data Tables

  • The map and tables currently display broadband deployment as of December 31, 2021, as certified by carriers.
  • Updated the formulas, data tables, and fields to reflect the new RDOF fund.
  • Added technology, other technology, and Latency fields to the local data download file option.

Miscellaneous

The following were also changed:

  • Enhance minor map functionalities to ensure compliance with 508 standards.
  • Simplified CAF Map onboarding back-end code to improve performance and make it scalable, with no changes to UI or functionality. The Onboarding text was also updated to include Tribal boundaries information.
  • Updated back-end API for location search. The map viewport should update to display the searched location (when one match is found) or display a drop-down list to select from the multiple results returned by the search option for the input text.

CAF Map 4.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 05/17/2021

Feature Updates

Release 4.0.0 made several back-end updates in order to improve functionality and address data issues. The Congressional Districts displayed were updated to reflect the 116th Congressional District boundaries. All location and data tables have been updated with the 2020 data for all displayed funds.

Map Window

  • Updated information on the transfer of CAF-BLS eligible areas to the ACAM II fund is available in the left slide-out information panel.
  • Updated the Congressional District boundaries to the 116th Congressional Districts.

Embedded Data Tables

  • The map and tables currently display broadband deployment as of December 31, 2020, as certified by carriers.
  • Updated Location Obligation aggregations by SAC for the State table.
  • Updated the Congressional District boundaries to the 116th Congressional Districts.

Miscellaneous

The following were also changed:

  • Addressed a bug dealing with special characters in the data so that they are properly displayed.
  • Addressed a bug dealing with how leading zeros in zip codes were stored and displayed.

CAF Map 3.1.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 10/22/2020

Feature Updates

Release 3.1.0 updated layouts, functionality, and underlying code in order to bring the CAF Map more in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Major changes include:

  • Redesign of the Release Notes page.
  • Redesign of the Feedback windows and options.
  • Redesign of the On-boarding process.
  • Implemented navigation, filtering, and table functions using mouse and/or keyboard.

CAF Map 3.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 09/03/2020

Feature Updates

Release 3.0.0 added two new funds to the CAF Map: Alternative Connect America Cost Model Phase II (ACAM II) and Connect American Fund Phase II Auction (CAF II Auction). An additional fund, Alternative Connect America Cost Model Revised (ACAM Rev), is being treated as an extension of the existing ACAM fund in this release. The CAF Map has certified deployment data for all seven funds. A new “Main View” of the CAF Map data has been added, with all data points and eligible areas displayed as one color when first opening the map.

Map Window

  • All eligible areas and deployment points are displayed in blue when the CAF Map is opened as part of the “Main View”. Individual fund colors are only displayed when the fund(s) is/are selected in the filter.
  • The ACAM II fund is represented by a brown color scheme. The CAF II Auction fund is represented by a mint green color scheme. These updates are visible in the Legend menu and a description of the two new funds are incorporated into the left slide-out information panel.
  • Information on the ACAM Rev updates to the ACAM fund and the transfer of CAF-BLS eligible areas to the ACAM II fund are available in the left slide-out information panel.
  • The RBE fund color scheme has been changed from brown to yellow to be 508 compliant.
  • Eligible Area shape files representing the new and updated funds display on the map in their associated color schemes.
  • A new custom basemap with 508 compliant colors replaces the previous basemap.

Filter Panel

  • The ACAM II and CAF II Auction funds are now options in the ‘Fund’ filter drop-down.

Embedded Data Tables

  • Both the State and Local Data Tables have been updated with the ACAM II and CAF II Auction funds and the addition of 2019 data for all funds.
  • The ACAM Rev updates appear in the data tables as part of the ACAM fund.

Miscellaneous

The following were also changed:

  • The on-boarding content has been updated to include information on the “Base View” and additional filter functions.
  • The feedback form has been updated to require an email address in order to submit feedback.

CAF Map 2.3.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 06/04/2020

Feature Updates

Release 2.3.0 adds an informational banner to alert users to the delay in updating 2019 data. Additional text is added under the filters to highlight that the current data being displayed is from 2018.

CAF Map 2.2.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 10/24/2019

Feature Updates

Release 2.2.0 corrects the display of certain Location Obligation numbers in the State Data Table, displaying those numbers by the deployment year, only when a Milestone Obligation exists for that year.

CAF Map 2.1.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 08/16/2019

Feature Updates

Release 2.1.0 updates the link for USAC in the header and link to the Privacy Policies in the footer of the CAF Map webpage, as well as updates to the Release Notes.

CAF Map 2.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 04/12/2019

Feature Updates

Release 2.0.0 consists mainly of the addition of a new fund, Rural Broadband Experiments (RBE), as well as certified deployment data for all five funds now in the CAF Map. A majority of the map updates have been made to accommodate these additions. The map currently displays broadband deployment as of December 31, 2018, as certified by carriers by March 6, 2019.

Map Window

  • The RBE fund is represented by a brown color scheme. This update is visible in the Legend menu and a description of the fund is incorporated into the left slide-out information panel.
  • Eligible Area shape files representing RBE display on the map.
  • Revisions to and waivers for eligible areas granted by the FCC are updated and display on the map.
  • Enhanced ‘Zoom to Area’ functionality provided in the map tools controller on the bottom right side of the map window.

Filter Panel

  • The RBE fund is an option in the ‘Fund’ filter drop-down.

Embedded Data Tables

  • Both the State and Local Data Tables have been updated with the RBE fund and the addition of 2018 data.
  • The tool tip verbiage to the ‘Locations Obligations’ column in the State Data Table has been updated to accommodate the RBE fund details.
  • A tool tip provides the RBE milestone certification date and is embedded wherever there is an RBE fund location obligation displayed.

Miscellaneous

The following were also changed:

  • The associated Open Data platform (hyperlink provided in the left slide-out information panel) is updated with all data, including the addition of a Milestone Certification Date column.

CAF Map 1.2.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 02/22/2019

Feature Updates

Release 1.2.0 consists of an upgrade to the operating software for CAF Map. Functionality improvements associated with this upgrade include improved results from the Search bar in the top right corner of the Map window and restricted map bounds to United States and territories.

CAF Map 1.1.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 01/15/2019

Feature Updates

Map Window

  • The Legend menu that identifies the color used to represent each fund is expanded and visible by default when users open the map. The menu collapses when users click anywhere outside the legend controller.
  • Users can now turn on/turn off eligible areas in the map view by selecting the ‘Turn on Eligible Areas’ checkbox from the Legend menu.
  • The Layers menu that allows users to add geographical boundaries to the map is retitled as ‘Boundaries’. To clearly indicate that only one geographical boundary can be added at any time, the checkboxes have been replaced with radio buttons.
  • When a geographical boundary (County/Congressional District/Eligible Area) is added, the boundary is presented in grey color in the map view. Users will now have an option to turn off all boundaries by clicking the radio button ‘Turn Off All Boundaries’.

Filter Panel

  • ‘Reset All’ button is now renamed as ‘Clear All Filters’. Clicking ‘Clear All Filters’ button will clear the current filter selections, revert to default ‘All’ filter selections in the Filter Panel and update data displayed on the Map and Data Tables, respectively.

Embedded Data Tables

  • Redesigned layout of the Data Tables (State and Local) allow users to see a few rows of data without having to scroll. The header row of the data tables freezes at the top of the screen and remains visible when users scroll down to view further data in the data tables.
  • The column header ‘Support Disbursed through Deployment Year’ in the State Data Table Download file is updated to ‘Total Support Disbursed through Deployment Year’.

Miscellaneous

The following were also changed:

  • First–time users are provided with a brief overview of the features of the CAF Map. Users can access the on-boarding content by clicking ‘Onboarding’ link from right-hand corner of the CAF Map banner.
  • A “Feedback” button is available alongside the Information Panel (to the left of the map window), replacing the ‘Website Feedback’ link in the Page Footer.
  • Users can access release notes associated with every release of the CAF Map application by clicking the ‘Release Notes’ link located on the right-hand corner of the Page Footer.
  • Users are notified about browser incompatibility when they open CAF Map in an unsupported browser. Below is a list of supported browser and versions:
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.0 and later
    • Microsoft Edge 17.17134 and later
    • Mozilla Firefox 62.0 and later
    • Google Chrome 68.0 and later

CAF Map 1.0.0 Release Notes

Deployment Date: 10/08/2018

Feature Updates

Release 1.0.0 represents the initial release of the Connect America Fund Broadband Map (CAF Map). The CAF Map displays the geographic areas that are eligible for CAF support, as well as the specific fixed locations where carriers participating in the program have built out broadband service. The map currently contains broadband deployment data from carriers participating in the following four Connect America Fund programs:

  • Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF Phase II)
  • Alternative Connect America Cost Model (ACAM)
  • Connect America Fund-Broadband Loop Support (CAF-BLS)
  • The Alaska Plan

The map currently displays broadband deployment as of December 31, 2017, as certified by carriers by March 1, 2018.

The map consists of 3 main components, that all work together for an integrated user experience:

  • The map window, which displays eligible areas and deployment point-specific data on a mapping interface.
  • A filter panel, allowing the user to down-select any or all of the filterable options, which then display on the map window.
  • Embedded data tables, with the option to display state or local data, that present data that are displayed in the map window.

The CAF Map also has an information panel that slides out from the left side of the screen, providing information about the Universal Service High Cost program (also known as the Connect America Fund), funds present in the map, and a link to the Open Data platform, which stores all of the data that populates the map.