The FCC recently authorized more than $18 billion in Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) support to expand rural broadband. The money is for carriers that have accepted the offer of Enhanced A-CAM support 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 two million locations in 44 states.
The FCC adopted an order to establish the Enhanced A-CAM program in July, Inside Towers reported. The 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.
The updated 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 NTIA’s program, requiring participating carriers to deploy to all locations within four years. It gives carriers that choose to participate in the Enhanced A-CAM program the opportunity to establish an enforceable commitment to locations they serve, note the FCC.
Here’s an initial list of locations to which deployment is required. 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, notes the agency.
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