Friday, May 24, 2013

FCC puts more money into rural broadband

About 15 million Americans, most of them living in rural areas, do not have access to high-speed Internet service, or broadband. The Federal Communications Commission, which has been working on the problem for several years, said Wednesday it will provide $485 million as part of a public-private venture to expand broadband to rural areas.

"The additional investment will leverage millions in additional private investment to quickly serve rural areas currently lacking access to high-speed broadband," reports Scherer. The move is phase 1 of the Connect America Fund. Phase II "will provide ongoing annual support of $1.8 billion for both voice and broadband service," reports Colleen Scherer of Ag Professional. "Total FCC investment in expansion and support of rural fixed and mobile broadband and voice through universal service is budgeted at $4.5 billion." (Read more)

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