NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 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. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: May 22, 2013 Mark Wigfield, 202-418-0253 E-mail: mark.wigfield@fcc.gov FCC ACTING CHAIRWOMAN MIGNON CLYBURN ANNOUNCES UP TO $485 MILLION IN NEW CONNECT AMERICA FUND INVESTMENTS TO EXPAND RURAL BROADBAND Hundreds of thousands of Americans could gain access to high-speed broadband for first time through second round of Phase I support Washington, D.C. – Today, FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn announced a significant public- private effort to connect hundreds of thousands of Americans to high-speed broadband as a result of the second release of Phase I funds of the Connect America Fund. The fund will offer up to $485 million to expand fixed broadband in rural America. The additional investment will leverage millions in additional private investment to quickly serve rural areas currently lacking access to high-speed broadband. Approximately 15 million Americans, most of them living in rural areas, lack broadband and the access it provides to jobs, education, and opportunities. Without broadband, consumers and small businesses are cut off from the $8 trillion global Internet economy, severely limiting opportunities for jobs and economic prosperity. Today’s announcement marks the second tranche of Phase I funds to ensure that every American has access to broadband by the end of the decade. This additional investment comes as the FCC moves into Phase II of the Connect America Fund, created in the historic overhaul and reform of the FCC’s traditional universal service program for rural voice service. Phase II will provide ongoing annual support of $1.8 billion for both voice and broadband service, all without increasing growth in the fund. Any funding not accepted in Phase 1 will be used to connect unserved communities in Phase II. Total FCC investment in expansion and support of rural fixed and mobile broadband and voice through universal service is budgeted at $4.5 billion. Today’s Report and Order is available at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13- 73A1.pdf. Action by the Commission, May 21, 2013, by Report and Order (FCC 13-73). Chairwoman Clyburn, Commissioners Rosenworcel and Pai, with separate statements issued by Chairwoman Clyburn and Commissioner Pai. Docket No.: 10-90 Wireline Competition Bureau Staff Contact: Ryan Yates at 202-418-0886 -FCC-