FCC announces $1.2 billion fund for broadband deployment in rural areas!!!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced nearly $1.2 billion in financing to extend broadband access across 32 states under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. According to the FCC, this is the "biggest investment round to date," with 23 broadband businesses providing access to over one million additional regions. Furthermore, the FCC announced the Rural Broadband Accountability Plan, which would increase the amount of audits and verifications conducted this year compared to 2021.

The FCC must also publish the findings of verifications, audits, and speed and latency testing on the Universal Service Administration Company's (USAC) website. On Twitter, FCC chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel tweeted, "The new Rural Broadband Accountability Plan will streamline our audit and verification processes while also making the results of verifications, audits, and latency testing publicly available for the first time." "With these protections in place, program providers will be able to perform their duties."