The FCC announced that they would begin experiments to explore how robust broadband can be expanded at lower cost in rural America. According to the FCC, “The experiments will inform the agency’s broader effort to expand rural broadband through its Connect America Fund. They [the experiments] will also inform the FCC’s efforts to ensure that consumers everywhere can benefit from the sweeping technological advances occurring now in the communications industry, while preserving consumer protection, competition, universal service and access to emergency services during these transitions.” These experiments will also test the service over wireless networks. Carriers and tower companies have been working to build out their infrastructure to bring the most rural areas in the country wireless service. The FCC’s initial announcement of rural broadband experiments in January received an enthusiastic response in the form of over 1,000 expressions of interest from a wide range of entities proposing service over diverse technologies. Final applications for the experiments are due 90 days after release of the FCC order, with selection expected by the end of 2014.
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