FCC Authorizes $521K CAF II Auction Support for Tribal Provider in Idaho

The Federal Communications Commission authorized $521,000 in funding over ten years to expand broadband in Idaho’s Benewah County. With this tranche of FCC support, Tribal provider Red Spectrum Communications has committed to providing broadband at speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps to an estimated 185 unserved rural homes and businesses, some of which are in Tribal areas. This announcement brings the total Connect America Fund Phase II auction support for Idaho to $14,320,176 for 10,921 locations. Broadband providers in Idaho that receive funding through the FCC’s Connect America Fund must build out to 40% of the assigned homes and businesses within three years. Buildout must increase by 20% in each subsequent year, until complete buildout is reached at the end of the sixth year.