$485 Million In New Connect America Fund Investments To Expand Rural Broadband

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn announced a significant public-private effort to connect hundreds of thousands of Americans to high-speed broadband as a result of the second release of Phase I funds of the Connect America Fund. The fund will offer up to $485 million to expand fixed broadband in rural America.

The additional investment will leverage millions in additional private investment to quickly serve rural areas currently lacking access to high-speed broadband. This announcement marks the second tranche of Phase I funds to ensure that every American has access to broadband by the end of the decade. This additional investment comes as the FCC moves into Phase II of the Connect America Fund, created in the historic overhaul and reform of the FCC’s traditional universal service program for rural voice service. Phase II will provide ongoing annual support of $1.8 billion for both voice and broadband service, all without increasing growth in the fund. Any funding not accepted in Phase 1 will be used to connect unserved communities in Phase II. Total FCC investment in expansion and support of rural fixed and mobile broadband and voice through universal service is budgeted at $4.5 billion.