- Last Updated on Monday, 04 January 2021 04:20
Internet providers in Fayette and Washington counties, represented by Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette), received grants to expand broadband access to unserved areas over the next 10 years.
More than $368.7 million was made available nationwide through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. Speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps can be expected, with a majority (64% of Pennsylvanians) receiving gigabit-speed broadband.
“Reliable broadband access is an important service in a normal year,” said Cook. “This year with people adapting to online work and school, it is even more of a necessity.”
The following list of winning bidders will serve a total of 6,974 homes and businesses in the 49th Legislative District:
- Armstrong Telephone Company, Northern Division - $139,542.
- QCOL Inc. - $235,146.
- Space Exploration Technologies Corporation - $6.77 million.
- Windstream Services LLC, Debtor-In-Possession - $3.19 million.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction is part of a broader effort by the FCC to close the digital divide in rural America.