>Costquest database just identifies serviceable locations AFAIK
Right.  Then you go to the state(s) BEAD FP data and intersect.

>OK, I may know about those errors, but why would I (or anyone else) spend
my time helping Costquest correct them?
As a BIAS provider, it is your obligation to update the fabric with
challenges.

>It’s not a freely available resource, so why should it be crowdsourced?
Strange how broadband gets more and more expensive along with tax liability
climbing.

On Mon, Mar 30, 2026 at 10:50 AM Ken Hohhof <[email protected]> wrote:

> The Costquest database just identifies serviceable locations AFAIK, I
> don’t think it tells you if there are ISPs there or grants like
> CAF/RDOF/BEAD.  You would have to get that data from the FCC or your state.
>
>
>
> Also the Costquest information initially was terrible, and has been
> refined to merely mediocre.  They are still missing locations, yet they
> include locations that are structures with no need for broadband, etc.  For
> a commercial grain elevator near us, they list every grain bin and silo as
> a BSL.  OK, I may know about those errors, but why would I (or anyone else)
> spend my time helping Costquest correct them?  It’s not a freely available
> resource, so why should it be crowdsourced?
>
>
>
> Some of the states have put a lot of work into refining the data they get
> from FCC including challenges saying unserved locations are actually
> served.  I don’t know if you could get access to this data, but it is
> probably more accurate.  Plus you could probably get the list of locations
> they intend to fund through BEAD, and whether it will be fiber, coax, FWA
> or LEO.  If you’re looking for areas to build into, I’d focus on those
> areas where the state intends to give BEAD money to Starlink or Amazon
> LEO.  That tells you the state thinks the area is unservered or
> underserved, but that BEAD will not be funding a strong competitor.  (Or at
> least one that doesn’t already exist.)  The other low hanging fruit IMHO is
> areas in town  that aren’t eligible for BEAD because there’s a cable
> company but that cable company is way overpriced.
>
>
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Adam Moffett
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 10:26 PM
> *To:* 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> It would be for assessing competition.  We have pretty decent intelligence
> on that already, but recently while looking at a potential new area it came
> out that there was a BEAD project which wasn't on our map.  I was asked if
> I could dig up GIS data on that (for free).
>
>
>
> I found lots of things I could pay for.  This Costquest outfit doesn't
> even seem competitive to be honest.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> on behalf of Ken Hohhof <
> [email protected]>
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 5:06 PM
> *To:* 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> Depending on how you want to use it, there may be a problem.
>
>
>
> My personal view, and I am definitely not a lawyer, is if you want to use
> it internally for general network planning, what they don’t know won’t hurt
> them.  If you are going to use it for a direct marketing campaign, or an
> online qualification tool, or something like that, probably don’t do that.
>
>
>
> It’s interesting that almost all big ISPs have online qualification tools,
> and they all look very similar, especially the process of identifying your
> street address.  They all have to be getting the database and software from
> somebody.
>
>
>
> https://www.costquest.com/broadband-serviceable-location-fabric/fabric-faq/
>
>
>
> Q:  If I am an FCC licensee, can I use my FCC-licensed materials for
> purposes outside of the BDC process?
>
> A:  No. The FCC Licensed Materials are only for FCC BDC purposes. They
> can’t be used for purposes outside of the license agreement. If you are
> going to use FCC Licensed Materials for purposes other than BDC purposes,
> this is a violation of the FCC License Agreement.
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Adam Moffett
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 3:36 PM
> *To:* 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> I wouldn't know.  I'm in the "New Markets" department, and that would be
> in the realm of another department which handles compliance.  I'll have to
> ask them.  Information siloing is sometimes unavoidable, and I think this
> is a case in point: Not knowing that existed, I never knew to ask about it.
> I guess since I'm looking at "new" markets, the information they got for
> free is probably not what I need, but they may have bought something as
> well.  I definitely will ask what we have.
>
>
>
> <soapbox>Information siloing is annoying, but it's 1% of it. I'll tell you
> that anyone who espouses the brutal efficiency of private enterprise has
> never worked for a corporation.  You guys still in small businesses are the
> ones who have the brutal efficiency, and you might need a fainting couch if
> you saw some of the wasted time and money in corporations.</soapbox>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> on behalf of Ken Hohhof <
> [email protected]>
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 12:57 PM
> *To:* 'AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group' <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> Don’t you get it free if you file BDC?  At least for your service area.  I
> think first time we had to sign something with Costquest, some kind of NDA
> or something.
>
>
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Adam Moffett
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 29, 2026 11:52 AM
> *To:* AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> Ah I see.  I can't wait to find out what that costs.
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> on behalf of Josh Luthman <
> [email protected]>
> *Sent:* Saturday, March 28, 2026 10:02 AM
> *To:* AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> You need the fabric database from Costquest.  You know, the one your taxes
> paid for you.  You have to buy it again.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 4:03 PM Adam Moffett <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I found a site where I could download a complete list of BEAD locations,
> but they removed the actual coordinates and addresses--I presume for
> privacy.  Meanwhile, a different site has all of the CAF funded address
> points, with the addresses and coordinates intact.  Make up your minds
> Federal Guys.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> on behalf of Josh Luthman <
> [email protected]>
> *Sent:* Friday, March 27, 2026 12:34 PM
> *To:* AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> Yep!
>
> RDOF is CBG
>
> BEAD is location fabric, individual houses
>
> Reconnect is a PFSA, a polygon(s) defining the project area
>
> To maximize government waste.  Do the task three different ways to avoid
> being able to share resources.  Oh and that FCC fabric is tax payer funded
> meanwhile ISPs are expected to be the ones to correct the data set.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 11:47 AM Cameron Crum <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> The earlier ones were polygons, blocks and such, but the Bead is locations
> so you'd be looking at mixed data as well.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 9:18 AM Ken Hohhof <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> And then you’d need the list of defaults.  Apparently RDOF had a bunch of
> those.
>
>
>
> *From:* AF <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Josh Luthman
> *Sent:* Friday, March 27, 2026 8:53 AM
> *To:* AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]>
> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] GIS file of grant project areas
>
>
>
> RDOF, BEAD, and Reconnect are there different government agencies.  Of
> course they are not all in one spot.  You can download those three from
> three spots.
>
> If you want to start including states, it'll be more places to look.
> Local stuff...jesus...
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 27, 2026 at 9:36 AM Adam Moffett <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Is there any consolidated map of federal broadband grant funded areas?  A
> shape file or KMZ would be ideal.
>
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