Over $32 million authorized to expand broaband access in rural Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska from Connect America Fund
News Release from FCC October 31, 2013
Washington, D.C--Over $32 million in funding to provide new broadband access to over 42,000 unserved homes and businesses in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska has been authorized from the Federal Communications Commission's Connect America Fund, connecting over 100,000 people who lack service.
The Connect America Fund is part of the FCC's initiative to bring broadband access to rural communities. The $32 million authorized today represents a jump-start to bring broadband to these areas
from the Connect America Fund. This is the first in a series of authorizations designed to extend broadband to as many as 600,000 households and businesses in 44 states and one territory in the near future.
"Broadband is essential in today's society and is poised to deliver tremendous benefits to rural America, eliminating the need to travel long distances for educational opportunities, to access quality health care, and to tap global markets," said Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. "I'm delighted we can provide an infusion of funds to connect communities in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Hawaii to jobs and other opportunities as we work with our partners in the private sector to build out broadband networks that will reach all Americans."
Currently about 15 million U.S. residents, mostly rural, lack access to fixed broadband. Specifics about today's authorization are as follows:
· Puerto Rico (territory-wide): $31.6 million to reach 40,736 homes and businesses
· Hawaii (Hawaii County): $1 million to reach 1,317 homes and businesses
· Alaska (Yukon-Koyukuk Borough): $174,000 to reach 316 homes and businesses
A map showing these areas is available at http://www.fcc.gov/maps/connect-america-fund-phase-i-round-two. More details about today's funding are available in a Public Notice released today at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-2103A1.pdf. And more information about the Connect America Fund is available at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/connecting-america.
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