Local counties eligible for support from FCC’s Connect America Fund

28 Mar 2018


Nearly 17,500 rural homes and businesses in Minnesota that are currently unserved by high-speed Internet service could get connectivity in the near future.

These homes and businesses are in unserved areas of Minnesota eligible for financial support from the next phase of FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF), which helps offset the high cost of extending broadband service into rural areas. The FCC will be distributing these funds through an innovative “reverse auction,” which is scheduled to launch on July 24.

“Connecting the unconnected in rural America is my top priority,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I’m excited that our CAF auction will provide opportunities for innovative companies and cooperatives to bridge the digital divide for the Minnesota consumers and small businesses that lack high-speed access today.”

Otter Tail (143), Grant (50) and Wilkin (158)  made the list as areas eligible for support.

Nationwide, providers will compete for up to $2 billion in support to expand access to broadband to nearly 1 million homes and locations in unserved rural areas over the next decade. The auction will provide opportunities for new entrants to the marketplace, regardless of technology, including phone companies, fixed wireless service providers, satellite providers, cable companies and electric utility broadband providers.

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