FCC authorizes nearly $800 million for rural broadband in latest RDOF round

On Aug. 31, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it is ready to authorize $791,604,299 through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to six providers to fund new broadband deployments to over 350,000 estimated locations in 19 states.

The top three states receiving funding include Illinois at $212 million; Arizona at $140 million; and Iowa at $113 million.

This latest round of funding supports projects using a range of network technologies, including gigabit service hybrid fiber/fixed wireless deployments that will provide end-user locations with either fiber or fixed wireless network service using licensed spectrum.

To date, the FCC said the RDOF program has provided more than $6 billion in broadband deployment to 47 states.

“This funding will connect more households throughout the country with high-speed broadband as part of our ongoing work to close the digital divide,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We are confident these projects can bring quality service to currently unserved areas.”

A list of the eligible census blocks covered by the winning bids announced is available under the “Results” tab on this page: https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904/round-results.  

For a list of RDOF providers and funding amounts by state, see https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904.

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