January 30, 2020

Coalition Notes Execution That Fully Utilizes Hybrid Networks, Cost-Effective Innovations Will Be Critical to Program’s Success

Washington, D.C. – Connect Americans Now (CAN) Executive Director Richard T. Cullen released the following statement on a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Thursday to adopt final rules governing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). The program, which aims to help tackle the digital divide, will invest more than $20 billion in broadband deployments in rural areas.

“Connect Americans Now agrees with Chairman Pai that the RDOF is a bold step that can be a game-changer for rural communities stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide,” Cullen said. “CAN applauds the FCC for making available substantial funding for broadband deployment and supports the FCC distributing this funding in a technology and competitively neutral manner in order to maximize areas that are served at broadband speeds.”

“The FCC can further enhance the pace and scale of deployments by supporting solutions that maximize the benefit of available spectrum,” Cullen added. “One such innovative solution is TV white space (TVWS) which the Commission can advance by issuing a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) to clear outstanding regulatory barriers to the deployment of the technology.”