Summary
On January 31, 2014, the Commission released the Technology Transitions Order, which, among other things, adopted targeted experiments to help learn more about the impact of technology transitions on rural America. In addition to furthering the Commission’s goal to gain experience and data on how to ensure universal access as networks transition, this experiment is designed to help inform the policy decisions in various proceedings pending before the Commission.
On July 11, 2014, the Commission adopted a $100 million budget for the rural broadband experiments and established an objective methodology for selecting projects among formal applications, which will be due 90 days after release of the order.
- Summary of Authorized Rural Broadband Experiment Projects (as of 12/12/16)
- Rural Broadband Experiments Project Details
Rural Broadband Experiments Post-Selection Process
- WCB Authorizes Bidder to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (12/12/16)
- WCB Authorizes Two Bidders to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (9/12/16)
- Commission Denies Challenges to RBE Financial Requirement (8/22/16)
- WCB Addresses Several Challenges to RBE Post-Selection Requirements (8/15/16)
- WCB Sixth RBE Ready to Authorize PN (7/21/16)
- WCB Fifth RBE Ready to Authorize PN (6/3/16)
- WCB Authorizes Bidder to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (5/4/16)
- Commission Modifies RBE Letter of Credit Requirements (as of 3/9/16)
- WCB Fourth RBE Ready to Authorize PN (2/24/16)
- WCB Authorizes Two Bidders to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (2/9/16)
- WCB Denies EPB Request for Waiver of ETC Deadline (2/1/16)
- WCB Authorizes Bidder to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (1/12/16)
- WCB Authorizes Three Bidders to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (12/11/15)
- WCB Authorizes Four Bidders to Receive Support (11/12/15)
- RBE Third Ready to Authorize Public Notice (9/29/15)
- WCB Grants NRS Request for Waiver of RBE Letter of Credit Deadline (9/28/15)
- RBE Second Ready to Authorize Public Notice (9/15/15)
- WCB Authorizes Two Bidders to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (9/11/15)
- Commission Denies RBE Financial and Technical Documentation Applications for Review (8/27/15)
- WCB Authorizes Four Bidders to Receive Rural Broadband Experiment Support (8/7/15)
- WCB Denies Additional RBE Financial and LOC Documentation Petitions (6/15/15)
- RBE Ready to Authorize Public Notice (5/27/15)
- Rural Broadband Experiments – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (5/27/15)
- BARConnects ETC Petition Comment Public Notice (4/28/15)
- 2015 Voice and Broadband Reasonable Comparability Benchmarks (4/16/15)
- WCB Announces Additional Provisionally Selected Bidders for Rural Broadband Experiments (3/4/15)
- WCB Denies RBE Waivers of Potential Next-in-Line Bidders (3/3/15)
- WCB Seeks Comment on NTCA RBE LOC Waiver Request & Phase II LOC Bank Eligibility Proposals (2/4/15)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Potential Next-in-Line Bidders (2/3/15)
- WCB Denies RBE Financial and Technical Waivers (1/30/15)
- WCB Seeks Comment on RBE LOC Waiver Request & Phase II LOC Proposals (1/30/15)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Seeks Comment on Petition for Waiver of Letter of Credit Bank Eligibility Requirements (1/23/15)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Reminds Provisionally Selected Bidders of Letter of Credit Requirements (1/23/15)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Additional Rural Broadband Experiments Funding and Seeks Comment on Petitions for Waiver (12/23/14)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Deadline for Rural Broadband Experiments Bidders Interested in Remaining Under Consideration for Support (12/18/14)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Provisionally Selected Bidders for Rural Broadband Experiments (12/5/14)
- List of Provisionally Selected Bidders for Rural Broadband Experiments
- Instructions for Provisionally Selected Bidders to Complete FCC Form 5620
- Rural Broadband Experiments Draw Interest From Nearly 200 Applicants (11/12/14)
Rural Broadband Experiment Application Process
- Wireline Competition Bureau Adopts Methodology for Broadband Comparability Benchmarks (10/29/14)
- Rural Broadband Experiments Filing Instructions (10/23/14)
- Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Date for Opening of Rural Broadband Experiments Application Filing Window and Final Deadline for Applications (10/16/14)
- Rural Broadband Experiments Webinar (10/9/14)
- Public Notice Announcing Guidance for Certain Rural Broadband Experiment Applicants (10/7/14)
- Public Notice Announcing Application Forms and Webinar Information (9/26/14)
- Public Notice Announcing Application Process for Interested Parties (8/19/14)
- FCC Form 5610 Screenshots
- Bid Form Template
- Guide to Working with the Bid Form
- Descriptive Data Form Template
- Sample Project Information Submission
Census Blocks Eligible for Rural Broadband Experiment Support
- Phase II Challenge Process Resolution Order (3/30/15)
- Census Block and Rural Broadband Experiments FAQs Public Notice | Census Blocks (2/13/15)
- WCB Addresses USF Issues with Consolidated’s Acquisition of Eventis and Initiates Challenge Process (10/3/14)
- Phase II Challenge Process Response Public Notice (9/26/14)
- Public Notice Announcing Release of Eligible Census Block List (7/25/14)
- Commission Publishes Additional Resources Regarding Areas Potentially Eligible for Connect America Funding (8/29/14)
- List of Census Blocks Eligible for Rural Broadband Experiment Support
- Guide to Working with the Census Block List
Rural Broadband Experiment Orders
July 11, 2014 - Rural Broadband Experiments Order
News Release
Wheeler Statement
Clyburn Statement
Rosenworcel Statement
Pai Statement
O’Rielly Statement
January 31, 2014 - FCC OKs Voluntary Experiments Testing Impact of Technology Transitions (Order)
News Release
Wheeler Statement
Clyburn Statement
Rosenworcel Statement
Pai Statement
O’Rielly Statement
Rural Broadband Workshop
- FCC Announces March 19 Rural Broadband Workshop
- FCC Announces Agenda for March 19 Rural Broadband Workshop
List of Expressions of Interest
Updated as of April 25, 2014