Gov. Tom Wolf announced that more than 327,000 Pennsylvanians will gain access to high-speed internet service through the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction.
Thirteen providers in Pennsylvania successfully bid in the auction and will provide high-speed internet access in locations across the state that are underserved or do not have access to broadband that meets current federal standards. The FCC will allocate $368.7 million to these providers over the next 10 years. Virtually every Pennsylvania county will benefit from the broadband build out supported by this funding.
Bucks County’s total funding is $323,324.
“In the 21st century, reliable high-speed internet service is a critical utility for homes and businesses alike. The lack of this technology in our communities inhibits our students and educators, businesses, the healthcare system and more from truly connecting locally and globally,” said Wolf. “If we want to support our economy, give our students the tools to learn and improve quality of life, we must expand broadband access. The current pandemic has vividly demonstrated the pressing need to expand high-speed internet access to enable telehealth and allow students to connect with their classmates and teachers. As a result of this auction, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians will gain this access, which is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide.”
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is an effort by the FCC to ensure high-speed internet access in underserved communities. In total, the FCC will allocate $9.2 billion to 180 bidders, who will deploy high-speed broadband to more than 5.2 million unserved homes and businesses across the country.
