Improved mapping initiatives are revolutionizing data accuracy and transparency across various sectors, including telecommunications and local business evaluations. The Internet Society is leading efforts to establish standardized mapping of terrestrial fibre networks, and Google is enhancing local review attributes to create richer datasets.
Steve Song, the senior director of the Internet Society, recently highlighted the challenge of mapping Africa’s terrestrial fibre networks during the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies (APRICOT). Song explained how different carriers share varying amounts of information on their infrastructure, leading to incomplete or inaccurate and non-standardized mapping.
According to Song, it took years of effort to map even 70 percent of fibre networks across Africa, and he noted, "The goal is to actively develop the standard this year, working with standards organizations and partners around the world." He emphasizes the need for accurate mapping of terrestrial fibre networks, akin to the well-documented submarine cable resources available today.
Many telecommunications regulators and carriers have yet to adopt this Open Fibre Data Standard, which would standardize data descriptions across the industry. Song cited the inadequacy of current maps, where Brazilian telecoms show multiple carriers claiming fibre links between cities without clear distinctions if these represent separate fibre lines or shared capacity on one line. This lack of clarity leaves potential buyers unsure about the services offered. He fears it complicates assessments of local networks' resilience and impedes investors from identifying opportunities, particularly for small ISPs serving rural areas.
Simultaneously, Google has introduced new survey-style review questions for local results to enrich user feedback, particularly for restaurants. Claudia Tomina elaborated on these developments via social media platforms, stating, "Google just dropped new review attributes for customers leaving reviews. Could they directly influence Ask Maps questions?" This initiative allows users to report on wait times, noise levels, group size suitability, and seating options, enhancing how the Google Maps system gathers local business data.
Tomina's observations indicate the potential impact of these additional user attributes on the way Google Maps operates, making it not only a tool for navigation but also a platform for comprehensive local data collection. Such changes can significantly shape users' decision-making processes and contribute to more informed community engagement.
The combined efforts of the Internet Society and Google represent significant strides toward realizing effective data mapping for disparate sectors. While there are issues to address, particularly around standardization and user adoption, these initiatives are likely to improve the accessibility and accuracy of data available to users and decision-makers alike.
Through advancing these mapping initiatives, stakeholders hope to create transparency around telecommunications infrastructure and improve the overall user experience for Google Maps. If widely implemented, these developments could bridge gaps across industries and contribute to more informed investment decisions, aiding communities and users comprehensively.