FCC earmarks $163M for expanding broadband internet access in 21 states

By Toria Barnhart
Newsweek

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Oct. 7 that it's providing $163 million in funding to help improve broadband internet access in rural communities.

Through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, the FCC will authorize $163,895,636 to 42 providers across 21 states for new broadband deployments, according to a press release issued by the commission. The program will also ensure the money goes to unserved areas.

"More help is on the way to households without broadband," said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. "This is an important program for getting more Americans connected to high-speed internet, and we are continuing careful oversight of this process to ensure that providers meet their obligations to deploy in areas that need it."

In this second round of funding, the providers will bring fiber-to-the-home gigabit broadband to approximately 65,000 locations over the next 10 years. States like South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, Oklahoma and West Virginia are among the locations. Read more.