Media Contact: 
Katie Gorscak
katie.gorscak@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC AUTHORIZES 368 COMPANIES TO RECEIVE OVER $18 BILLION TO EXPAND RURAL BROADBAND 
Funds Authorized as Part of Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model; Advances Commission’s Deployment Agenda
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WASHINGTON, October 30, 2023—The Federal Communications Commission today issued a Public Notice that authorizes approximately $18.28 billion in Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) support for carriers that have accepted the offer of Enhanced A-CAM support in the states identified in today’s Authorization Report for a 15-year period beginning January 1, 2024.  Collectively, these companies are committing to deploy broadband service of at least 100/20 Mbps service to over 700,000 locations and to maintain or improve existing 100/20 Mbps service to approximately 2 million locations in 44 states across the United States.

In July 2023, the FCC adopted an order to establish the Enhanced A-CAM program.  The Enhanced A-CAM program provides universal service high-cost support to participating carriers to serve consumers with 100/20 Mbps or faster broadband service to all locations served by the program, including some of the most difficult-to-reach areas of the country.

This modernized program will provide additional universal service support to certain rural carriers in exchange for increasing deployment to more locations at higher speeds.  The program also aligns deployment milestones with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, requiring participating carriers to deploy to all locations within four years and also allows carriers that elect to participate in the Enhanced A-CAM program the opportunity to establish an enforceable commitment to locations they serve. 

An initial list of required locations to which deployment is required is included in the Authorization Report released today.  Determination of locations an Enhanced A-CAM carrier is required to serve is subject to an adjustment process that will be completed no later than December 31, 2025.  Carrier acceptances, organized by state, will be made publicly available at https://www.fcc.gov/general/rate-return-resources.  This information will facilitate coordination with other funding programs and help avoid duplicative funding.

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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).