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There are several planned and ongoing phases to the verification of broadband data being collected, including provider verification, consumer verification, and field verification.

Initially, after the received data is processed by Connected Tennessee, the representation of the service area is sent back to the provider for review and approval, and revisions supplied as necessary. Only after a provider has approved the accuracy of the representation of their service area is their information included for analysis and map display.

Areas within Census Blocks with zero population were not removed from broadband serviced areas as providers have indicated, under the definition of broadband set forth in the SBI NOFA, that service could be made available to an address in the approved service area within 7-10 business days.

For fixed wireless providers that do not have their footprint in a spatial format to provide to Connected Tennessee, information is collected on the wireless network and the individual towers to create wireless propagations. Information such as tower location, tower height, transmit frequency, azimuth, transmit antenna gain, foliage cover, etc. are collected from providers to serve as inputs into a propagation model. The resulting product depicts a graphical illustration of the theoretical propagation characteristics of a selected frequency range based on the defined variables.

Broadband service area data is processed based on the format in which it was delivered to Connected Tennessee. Since the majority of broadband providers do not have data stored in any single or standard format, Connected Tennessee works with providers to understand their data and network structure to help them “translate” this information into a useful GIS format in order to produce accurate service area representations.

Since the majority of broadband providers do not have data stored in any single or standard format, Connected Tennessee works with providers to understand their data and network structure to help them “translate” this information into a useful GIS format in order to produce accurate service area representations. Data can range from ESRI shapefiles, CAD data, spreadsheets, previously existing maps of coverage areas, a list of served Census Blocks and road segments, and everything in between.

As set forth by the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and subsequent clarifications of the State Broadband Initiative Grant Program (SBI), specific data layers illustrating where broadband service is available are submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The data collection is done in accordance with the requirements of the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and subsequent clarifications set forth by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) State Broadband Initiative Grant Program (SBI). The process begins by contacting all known providers in the state and providing information about the broadband mapping project. Information on broadband service areas is collected from each willing provider through voluntary participation.

Connected Tennessee’s state maps display broadband data differently than the National Broadband Map based on the requirements for the submission of data to NTIA.

Connected Tennessee has solicited, reviewed, verified, and submitted nine rounds of data to the NTIA, semi-annually since spring.  The broadband data collected from various mapping entities and state agencies across the fifty-six states and territories that encompass the United States serves as the inputs for the broadband information displayed on the National Broadband Map. Connected Tennessee will continue to work with broadband providers, collect and process data, and submit semi-annual datasets to NTIA to update the National Broadband Map.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment of 2009 requires that the national map "depict[] geographic extent to which broadband service capability is deployed and available from a commercial provider or public provider throughout each State."  This Recovery Act requires that NTIA by February 17, 2011, make the map "accessible by the public on a World Wide Web site of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in a form that is interactive and searchable."