The funds – channelled into Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties – are the latest to be committed under the Connect America Fund, taking total auction support for Pennsylvania to $36,655,925 for 9,673 locations.
“Getting gigabit-speed broadband to rural communities in northwestern Pennsylvania will make a real difference in the region,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “Nearly 2,000 rural homes and businesses that don’t currently have broadband service will get connected to some of the highest speed internet available through this support. I’m glad the FCC can help bridge the digital divide in rural Pennsylvania, and we look forward to continuing to find ways to make a difference in these communities.”
According to the FCC, broadband providers in Pennsylvania that receive funding through the FCC’s Connect America Fund must build out to 40% of the assigned homes and businesses within three years. Buildout must increase by 20% in each subsequent year, until complete buildout is reached at the end of year six.
In total, the 2018 Connect America Fund auction allocated $1.488 billion in support over the next ten years to expand broadband to more than 700,000 unserved rural homes and small businesses in 45 states. The FCC has now authorised 1 waves of funding with more than $1.4 billion authorised thus far. Funding rounds will continue until the process is complete.
County Minimum Speed Support/10 Years Locations
Crawford 1 Gbps/500 Mbps $46,800 64
Erie 1 Gbps/500 Mbps $2,586,608 1,876
Mercer 1 Gbps/500 Mbps $9,005 9
