The FCC has authorized over $240 million in funding to continue to expand rural broadband access. The funding will be used in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, and Wyoming and will connect over 100,000, the FCC said in a statement today.
“Today’s announcement is another important step in our efforts to close the digital divide and connect rural Americans with the economic, healthcare, and educational opportunities made possible by high-speed broadband,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how funding provided through the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction is having a positive impact on the Wind River Indian Reservation in rural Wyoming. And the funding we are authorizing today will bring those same benefits and connect more rural Americans with digital opportunity.”
This is the ninth wave of funding to come from the 2018 Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Those providers that are chosen to receive funding must build out service to 40% of the assigned homes and businesses in designated areas within three years. Buildout must increase by 20% for each subsequent year, until being completed by the end of the sixth year.
The Connect America Fund Phase II auction was designed to help close the digital divide in rural America.
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