Media Contact: Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253 mark.wigfield@fcc.gov For Immediate Release APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR $2 BILLION RURAL BROADBAND AUCTION Application Window Closes on March 30 -- WASHINGTON, March 19, 2018—The Federal Communications Commission is now accepting applications from broadband providers of all kinds to participate in this summer’s Connect America Fund Phase II reverse auction. Providers must submit their applications by March 30, when the application window closes. Providers can apply here: auctions.fcc.gov. The auction will make available up to $1.98 billion in support over the next decade to help build out high-speed Internet access to up to 1 million homes and small businesses in rural areas across the country that lack service. “This is a unique opportunity for broadband providers to expand their service,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “More important, this is a unique opportunity to bring digital opportunity to parts of rural America that have been bypassed by the broadband revolution. So I hope that all eligible providers will give this opportunity a hard look and choose to participate.” The auction will provide opportunities for new and existing providers using a variety of technologies to compete for support, including phone companies, fixed wireless providers, satellite providers, cable companies, and rural electric utilities. The auction is scheduled to begin on July 24. Application: auctions.fcc.gov List of eligible counties by state: www.fcc.gov/file/13816/download Map of eligible areas: www.fcc.gov/maps/caf2-auction-final-areas Video of Chairman Pai’s remarks: https://youtu.be/IeNsWd7ZQgk General information about the auction: www.fcc.gov/auction/903 ### Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275 TTY: (888) 835-5322 Twitter: @FCC www.fcc.gov/media-relations 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).