Embedded Files
An interface that allows generation of Reports required by the FCC for Form 477 was integrated within SIMPLer and updates were made in August 2014, as required by the FCC.
Further updates to the Reports required by the FCC for Form 477 have been integrated within SIMPLer, as required by the FCC from 31 December 2019.
** Additional updates have been made to include the required BDC (Broadband Data Collection) FBS Report **
Please click here for additional information on how to implement this
The no longer needed columns from the FBD (Fixed Broadband Deployment) file have been removed.
These fields are the maximum downstream and upstream contractual or guaranteed data throughput rates available to business/government end users in each census block
To avail of this feature, go to Settings - Modify WISP and enable the Form 477 section as shown in fig. 1-1. You must also choose the default tech code for all customers.
Fig. 1-1: Form 477 Options
The "Form 477 - DBA Name" is an optional field. The DBA name is reported in the 477 files generated. If the field is not filled out then the value will be taken from the "label" field under Settings - Modify WISP (highlighted in RED in fig. 1-2). If this field is not set, it will be taken from the WISP ID (highlighted in GREEN in fig. 1-2).
Fig. 1-2: DBA Name Defaults
Each customer can also have the “Technology Code” overridden on the "general details" tab of their record. Technology Codes available are shown in Fig. 2:
Fig. 2: Tech Codes available
The Form 477 page is located under the Dashboard Tab in SIMPLer at the location shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3: Form 477 location
There is a user right "form 477" associated with this page, so if you do not have this right, please ask your manager, or azotel support to allocate this right to your account.
After navigating to the Form 477 page, “Data Rates Summary Table” is displayed towards the bottom of the page. (See fig. 4)
Fig. 4: Data Rates Table
Note that using this feature all counts for the fixed broadband deployment file are based on “current” customers and buckets assigned. There is an enhanced feature that allows the operator to generate the form based on the antenna's approximate coverage, and it is described in more detail here. But for now we will focus on the version that is generated based on the customer buckets.
There are three options on the page: “Update Customer GPS Details” (See fig. 5), "Current customers without buckets assigned" (See fig. 5) and “Generate Form 477 Data”. (See Fig. 5)
Fig. 5: Form 477 Options
It is recommended to update customer GPS details before generating Form 477 reports. SIMPLer calls the FCC API to retrieve FIPS and Census Tract County codes. The FCC API uses GPS coordinates as an input parameters. Customers who do not have GPS coordinates specified or their GPS coordinates are incorrect will not be taken into account when generating the report.
Generating the Form 477 Reports will result in a CSV report being added to the “Fixed Broadband Subscription" table. All created reports are displayed in the table. An error log is available to review customers who were not processed due to errors. Option (D) allows to delete a specific report from the system. (Fig. 6) The CSV file name is built based on the pattern:
fixed_broadband_subscription_<username>_<date>_<random_number>.csv
where:
<username> - name of user that has created Census Tract Report
<date> - date when Census Tract Report was generated
<random> - random number
There is a second file that will need to be uploaded to the FCC from the fixed broadband deployment table. You can download the table at the "download CSV" on the left hand side of fig. 6. This record can also be added manually, if desired.
Fig. 6: CSV Files & Error Log
Once you have generated the fixed broadband deployment file and the fixed broadband subscription you must download these files and submit both of them to the FCC.
Initial Setup Tips
All currently existing customer records in SIMPLer may not have a "Technology Code". Contact support@azotel.com to have a default value set for existing customers (e.g. Terrestrial Fixed Wireless)
The reported rates are based on customer buckets (base rates if using bursting). In RADIUS deployments reporting buckets should be created for grouping customers. This will not affect customer speeds if the WIB is not in line or you are using a virtual WIB
Any "current" customer accounts that have just been used for testing or internal work (e.g. installer accounts) should have their customer type set to "test account".
Form 477 data is based on the GPS coordinates on a customer's account. If GPS coordinates aren't specified a tool is available to use the customer's address to determine their approximate GPS coordinates using the Google Maps API. Simply click "Update Customer GPS Details".
Use the Error.log file to help find customers with issues with their GPS coordinates.
There are two filing periods for the 477, those are January - June. and July - December. It means that when you "generate" those files in SIMPLer any time from July 1st - December 31st they will be reporting data from January to June, and when generated from January 1st - June 30th it will be for July - December filing period.
REVIEW ALL DATA BEFORE SUBMITTING TO THE FCC
FILE FORMAT:
1) Fixed Broadband Deployment (FBD)
Column A: 15 digit census block code.
Column B: Provider's DBA Name. (Usually the company name)
Column C: Technology of Transmission. For example, the number 70 represents Terrestrial Fixed Wireless.
Column D: Consumer Flag: If "1" is entered in this field it means that this census block contains consumer/mass market broadband service.
Column E: Maximum Advertised Downstream Bandwidth (consumer): The maximum advertised downstream for consumers in this block.
Column F: Maximum Advertised Upstream Bandwidth (consumer): The maximum advertised upstream for consumers in this block.
Column G: Business/ Government: If "1" is set it means that business broadband is available in this block.
2) Fixed Broadband Subscription (FBS)
Column A: 11 digit census tract code
Column B: Technology of Transmission. For example, the number 70 represents Terrestrial Fixed Wireless.
Column C: Actual Downstream Bandwidth.
Column D: Actual Upstream Bandwidth.
Column E: Connections: Number of connections in this census tract.
Column F: Consumer Connections: Number of connections in this census tract which are residential.
Change History Log: [14-Feb-2020]
[21-July-2022]
Contact Azotel Support:
Need more help? Save time by creating a maintenance ticket to Azotel through your instance.
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