FCC Authorizes Over $7.5 Million for Rural Broadband Projects

The Federal Communications Commission authorized over $7.5 million in funding over ten years to expand rural broadband in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, and Oklahoma. These investments will connect over 3,100 unserved rural homes and businesses. Providers will begin receiving the funds later in May. The funding represents the 12th wave of support from the successful 2018 Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Providers must build out to 40% of the assigned homes and businesses in the areas won in a state within three years. Buildout must increase by 20% in each subsequent year, until complete buildout is reached at the end of the sixth year. The funding being authorized in New York is the fourth wave of matching funds provided through the FCC’s partnership with the state’s New NY Broadband Program.

The FCC has now authorized twelve waves of funding, and May 14’s action brings total authorized funding to over $1.444 billion, which is expanding connectivity to 632,420 homes and businesses nationwide. Funding rounds will continue until the authorization process is complete.