In an effort to increase broadband access in rural areas, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced details of its upcoming Rural Broadband Experiments program.
After receiving over 1,000 Expressions of Interest from around the country, the FCC has developed the program with the goal of expanding robust broadband to rural areas at lower costs. The goal of the experiments is to inform the FCC of how to ensure consumers across the nation benefit from broadband services, while preserving competition, consumer protection, universal service and emergency services.
The cap on funding for these experiments is $100 million and will be divided into three groups as follows:
- $75 million to construct networks offering service plans providing 25 Mbps download/5Mbps upload
- $15 million for delivering service at 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload in high cost areas
- $10 million for 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload service in areas that are extremely high cost
Final applications are due October 14, 2014, 90 days after the release date of the FCC order. The FCC expects to make selections by the end of 2014.
Click here to see the news release.
Click here for Chairman Wheeler statement
Click here for Commissioner Clyburn statement
Click here for Commissioner Rosenworcel statement
Click here for Commissioner Pai statement
Click here for Commissioner O’Reilly statement