About $368.7 million is projected to be spent over the next 10 years to provide high speed internet to underserved homes and businesses in rural Pennsylvania, according to the Indiana Gazette. Expected to reach an estimated 327,000 residents at 184,505 locations, the project will service over 65 counties in the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission announced it has approved petitions for four more telecommunications service providers as “Eligible Telecommunications Carriers,” which means the companies can start receiving funding. Starlink Services, Youngsville Television Corporation, Connect Everyone LLC and the PA Frontier Companies, a combined group of service providers received the designation last week.
“Under federal law, Pennsylvania companies must obtain an ETC designation from the PUC before receiving federal universal service fund support to build voice and broadband networks and provide related services in high-cost areas of the Commonwealth,” the PUC said in a news release.
The support of federal funds is being channeled through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase 1 Auction. Overall, 13 bidders have been approved as Eligible Telecommunications Carriers.
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