Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband Mapping topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
PBDA posts tutorial showing how to use Pennsylvania Broadband Map and BEAD layers
Summary
A Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) tutorial explains two ways to access the Pennsylvania Broadband Map, how to turn on and off map layers for BEAD applications and awarded projects, and how to search addresses and awardees for project details.
A PBDA staff member posted a recorded tutorial describing how to access and navigate the Pennsylvania Broadband Map and how to use map layers tied to BEAD program applications and awarded projects.
The tutorial matters because the map is the state’s public tool for identifying broadband serviceable areas (BSAs), locations tied to awarded projects and proposed provider speeds, and other data that applicants and residents use to check BEAD eligibility and project details.
The presenter said there are two ways to reach the map from the PBDA website: use the navigation bar at the top of the PBDA landing page under “Maps and Data” to select the Pennsylvania Broadband Map, or open the BEAD program page and use the “Additional information” link near the bottom of that page to go directly to the map. The presenter demonstrated accepting the map’s terms and conditions after following either route.
The tutorial described three primary layers users will encounter: (1) dots showing locations associated with CPF BIP awardees (locations tied to projects approved as part of the CPF BIP program), (2) broadband serviceable areas (BSAs) identified for BEAD applications, and (3) county and municipal boundary outlines. The presenter demonstrated toggling layers on and off by clicking the eye icon beside each layer name and showed that filtering and legend tools change with the active layers.
The presenter explained what the BSA layer contains: for each BSA the map displays the total number of unserved broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) reported for that area and an estimated cost to deploy fiber-to-the-home to eligible BSLs within the BSA. For awarded locations shown as dots, the tutorial showed that clicking an awarded-location dot brings up details for that specific location, including proposed provider speeds.
The ribbon of buttons at the top of the map provides a legend, an informational panel about the map, a search tool to find CPF BIP awardees by applicant name, a control to change the base map view (for example, to topographic), and an address search bar. The presenter emphasized that users who search for an address and expect to see awarded-location dots must ensure the CPF BIP (awardees) layer is turned on; addresses that are part of an approved project appear as a dot when that layer is active.
The tutorial closed with a contact for follow-up questions. The presenter gave the PBDA contact email as ra-dcpbda_bead@pa.gov for additional assistance.
