Media Contact: 
Mark Wigfield (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC TAKES KEY STEP TOWARD AUCTION TO EXPAND RURAL 
BROADBAND ACCESS
   -- 
WASHINGTON, December 19, 2017 – Continuing its push to expand access to broadband in 
rural America, the Federal Communications Commission today identified the locations of 
nearly 1 million homes and small businesses in 48 states that are eligible for up to $2 billion in 
support for broadband deployment over the next decade.
Currently unserved by high speed Internet access, these locations are in largely rural areas, 
where, absent support, carriers are unlikely to expand service.  Now, the FCC’s Connect 
America Fund is preparing to distribute up to $2 billion in support to companies that 
successfully compete in an innovative auction to deploy robust broadband at the lowest cost in 
these unserved rural areas across the country.
“Closing the digital divide is my number one priority, and through this innovative Connect 
America Fund auction, we are poised to take the next big step in reaching that goal,” said FCC 
Chairman Ajit Pai.  “In rural America, broadband opens the doors of opportunity by connecting 
remote communities to global markets, jobs, education, health care and information.” 
The auction seeks to expand service to census blocks unserved by broadband delivering speeds 
of 10 Mbps downloads/1 Mbps uploads.  The auction’s use of competitive market forces 
maximizes the value the American people will receive from the Connect America Fund by 
balancing deployment of higher-quality services with cost efficiencies.  The auction is set to 
launch in 2018.
Broadband access is essential in the 21
st
 Century for jobs, education, information and economic 
development.  Since 2011, the FCC has targeted over $9 billion in support for rural broadband 
expansion to over 4 million homes and small businesses from its Connect America Fund.
Map showing locations eligible for support: https://www.fcc.gov/maps/caf2-auction-final-
areas  
Public Notice providing further details on auction: 
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-17-1219A1.docx
###
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order 
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).