An estimated 100,000 Missouri rural homes and businesses that are currently unserved by high-speed internet service could get connectivity in the near future, which includes rural areas in the KMMO listening area.
According to a news release from the Federal Communications Commission, over 8,500 rural homes and businesses in the KMMO area are without high-speed internet access, but may eligible for financial support from the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF), which helps offset the high cost of extending broadband service into rural areas. The FCC will be distributing these funds through an innovative “reverse auction,” which is scheduled for July 24, 2018.
The auction is scheduled to have nationwide internet providers compete for up to $2 billion in support to expand access of high-speed internet services to rural areas over the next decade.
High-speed internet is essential for 21st Century for jobs, education, information and economic development. Since 2011, the FCC has targeted more than $9 billion in support for rural broadband expansion to over 4 million homes and small businesses through its Connect America Fund.
To see a map of eligible areas, visit www.fcc.gov.