On Sep. 28, FCC proposed to refresh the 5G Fund for Rural America.
FCC proposed rule and sought public comment on a limited set of issues to refresh the record and continue its implementation of the 5G Fund for Rural America.
Follows FCC Jan. 2020 launched $20bn rural digital opportunity fund, see #71130.
Proposed Amendments
Modifies methodologies that support recipients would use to substantiate their 5G broadband coverage certifications in the areas for which they receive 5G Fund support.
To align the framework for demonstrating compliance with 5G Fund performance requirement milestones with the Broadband Data Collection (BDC).
Consultation
Comments on the proposal are due Oct. 23, 2023.
Dec. 2023 FCC Plain Language Summary
On Dec. 11, 2023, FCC posted plain-language summary of the Sep. 28 rulemaking.
Summary provide an interested non-specialist with a brief overview of proposed rule.
Dec. 2024 FCC Final Rule
On Dec. 13, 2024, FCC published final rule establishing the 5G Fund for Rural America to support the build out of 5G wireless broadband networks in the federal register.
Modified the definition of areas eligible for support in the 5G Fund Phase I auction.
Final rule is effective Jan. 13, 2025, compliance with certain provisions not required until Commission publishes document in federal register announcing compliance date.
Regulators
FCC
Entity Types
Corp
Reference
89 FR 101358, 12/13/2024; 88 FR 85884, 12/11/2023; 88 FR 66781, 9/28/2023; Docket OGC, DA 23-1112, FR ID 189138; GN 20-32; FCC 24-89; FRS 247283;
