FCC awards $220M to electric co-ops to install broadband in rural areas
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Tuesday that it would award $220 million over 10 years to 33 electric cooperatives to deploy broadband in unserved areas.
The funding came through the FCC’s Connect American Fund II (CAF II) reverse auction. It is the first time the FCC allowed electric cooperatives to bid for funding as broadband service providers.
“Today’s auction results highlight the power of cooperative first partnerships and collaboration as electric co-ops work to bring broadband to unserved communities in rural America,” Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA), said. “We thank the FCC for allowing electric co-ops to participate in this auction, and look forward to building on this success moving forward. We are committed to continuing the rural broadband conversation and working with policymakers at the federal, state and local level on technology and funding solutions that will enrich the lives of rural American families and businesses.”
NRECA is a trade association that represents more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
