FCC Authorizes $524 Million for Rural Broadband Expansion in 23 States

The Federal Communications Commission authorized over $524 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to 205,520 unserved rural homes and businesses in 23 states, representing the third wave of support from 2018’s successful Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Providers will begin receiving funding in July. In total, the auction from fall 2018 allocated $1.488 billion in support to expand broadband to more than 700,000 unserved rural homes and small businesses over the next 10 years. The FCC has already authorized two waves of funding in May and June, and funds from those first two waves are expanding connectivity to nearly 100,000 homes and businesses that lack service. Today’s action brings total authorized funding to nearly $803 million, or over half of the $1.488 billion allocated through the auction, expanding connectivity to 305,518 homes and businesses. In the coming months, the FCC will be authorizing additional funding as it approves remaining applications of the winning bidders from the auction.