Funding Authorized for Four Rural Broadband Experiments Serving Over 15,000 Consumers

Four projects that will provide broadband service to 15,000 consumers living in rural areas have been authorized for funding from the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Broadband Experiment program. The $11.2 million awarded will fund a diverse group of projects in five state over 10 years. The authorized projects are:

• Skybeam, LLC will supply broadband to 6,647 homes in counties of Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall and Woodford (IL); counties of Butler, Harvey and Marian (KS), and counties of Lee and Washington (TX).
• Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative will receive $1.5 million to extend service in northern two-thirds of Fayette County (IA).
• Consolidated Communications Networks, Inc. will receive $3 million to extend broadband service over fiber network to 171 homes and businesses in portions of Stark County (ND).
• Delta Communications LLC will receive $2.2 million to extend broadband service to 122 homes and businesses over fiber networks in portions of counties of Alexander, Clay, Edwards, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson (IL).