FCC Authorizes Nearly $112.2 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband

The Federal Communications Commission authorized over $112.2 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to nearly 48,000 unserved rural homes and businesses in nine states, representing the fifth wave of support from 2018’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Broadband providers will begin receiving funding later in Sept. The FCC has now authorized five waves of funding, and Sept 12’s action brings total authorized funding to over $1 billion, which will expand connectivity to nearly 388,000 homes and businesses nationwide. Additional rounds will be authorized in the coming months. Funding applications approved by the FCC Sept 12 include the following:

• Cal.net, Inc., is receiving over $50.5 million over 10 years to deploy service to 20,859 homes and businesses in CA, most of which will get access to service delivering speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream, using fixed wireless technology.
• W.A.T.C.H TV is receiving nearly $53.4 million over 10 years to deploy service to 23,957 rural homes and businesses in IL, IN, and OH, most of which will get access to service delivering speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream/20 Mbps upstream, using fixed wireless technology
• Four rural phone companies are receiving $1.8 million to offer gigabit-speed fiber service to 536 rural homes and businesses in IA, MN, and WI.