FCC Authorizes $121 Million In Rural Broadband Funding In 16 States

The Federal Communications Commission authorized over $121 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 36,579 unserved rural homes and businesses in 16 states, representing the fourth wave of support from 2018’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II auction. The FCC has already authorized three waves of funding in May, June, and July. Aug 12's action brings total authorized funding to over $924 million, expanding connectivity to 342,097 homes and businesses; additional rounds will be authorized in the coming months. Funding applications approved by the FCC Aug 12 include:

• Northern Arapaho Tribal Industries, which is owned by the Northern Arapaho Tribe, is receiving $4.1 million to deploy service to 849 homes and businesses on the Wind River Reservation in WY, all of which will get access to service delivering Gigabit speeds
• Tri-Co Connections is receiving $32.3 million to deploy Gigabit service to over 7,015 homes and businesses in rural PA over its fiber network
• Midcontinent Communications is receiving $39 million to deploy service to 9,371 homes and businesses in rural MN, ND, and SD, all of which will get service delivering speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream
• Citynet West Virginia will receive $6.5 million over the next decade to deliver Gigabit service over its fiber network to 898 homes and businesses in rural WV