S2585

The MAP for Broadband Funding Act (S2585), introduced on July 31, 2025, and reported out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 12, 2026, seeks to modernize and improve the Broadband Funding Map. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and cosponsored by one other senator, focuses on ensuring the most efficient use of existing federal funds for broadband deployment by preventing redundant infrastructure. The bill mandates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), to collect data for the Broadband Funding Map and initiate an inquiry into its optimum functionality and transparency. This bill does not authorize or appropriate new federal funds for broadband. Instead, it focuses on the administrative process of how existing funds are allocated. By improving mapping accuracy, the bill aims to direct current investments more effectively to underserved areas and prevent overbuilding in already connected regions. This structural change could lead to a more predictable and targeted deployment environment for companies involved in broadband infrastructure, as the clarity in funding allocation could reduce competitive overlap in federally supported projects. Companies like Verizon Communications Inc. ($VZ), AT&T Inc. ($T), and T-Mobile US, Inc. ($TMUS), which are major broadband providers, stand to benefit from a more streamlined and efficient federal funding landscape. Infrastructure providers such as Crown Castle Inc. ($CCI) and American Tower Corporation ($AMT), which own and operate critical infrastructure like cell towers and fiber networks, could also see clearer investment opportunities as funding is directed more precisely. The bill's emphasis on preventing redundant builds could lead to more strategic and less wasteful deployment efforts across the industry. Recent market data shows mixed performance for these companies. As of April 7, 2026, Verizon ($VZ) is at $49.01, down 2.37% over 7 days and 4.13% over 30 days. AT&T ($T) is at $28.36, down 2.21% over 7 days and 1.01% over 30 days. T-Mobile ($TMUS) is at $199.22, down 5.15% over 7 days and 10.09% over 30 days. In contrast, Crown Castle ($CCI) is at $85.72, up 5.42% over 7 days but down 5.21% over 30 days. American Tower Corporation ($AMT) is at $174.75, up 1.26% over 7 days but down 7.34% over 30 days. The bill's current status is "Reported out of committee — awaiting floor action," indicating it has cleared a significant hurdle but still requires a vote in the Senate and passage in the House before it can become law.