FCC to Secure Rural 5G Connectivity Through $9 Billion Fund

The 5G connectivity is approaching, and the US authorities wish to see it implemented properly. As a result, the FCC announced that it would create a $9 billion fund to support the introduction of high-speed connectivity everywhere, including rural areas, which are typically harder to serve.

BREAKING NEWS: Chairman @AjitPaiFCC announces his plan to launch a $9 billion 5G Fund for rural America. #5GFAST #FCCGov https://t.co/B3gVbBVtYk

— The FCC (@FCC) December 4, 2019

5G Everywhere

Regardless of whether they have difficult terrain, or how densely populated they might be, the FCC wants 5G to cover them all. According to what is known, at least $1 billion is planned to be used for supporting precision agriculture. Commenting on the plans, FCC Chairman, Ajit Pai, stated that the goal is to ensure that 5G narrows the digital divide in rural America, instead of widening it. There are clear benefits that Americans can enjoy from wireless innovation, and he wants to make them possible for rural areas, as well. The FCC plans to create the new fund through the process of ‘reverse auction,’ which will allow them to replace the Mobility Fund Phase II, which is worth $4.5 billion. This fund was created to expand 4G LTE in areas that are considered underserved. Another thing to note is that Microsoft concluded last year that carriers are inflating their 4G LTE coverage, which is something that FCC confirmed. Now, they wish to ensure that coverage data will remain as accurate as possible.

Difficulties in Covering Rural America

As some may know, FCC has worked hard on expanding the broadband service in rural areas, particularly to thousands of homes and businesses. It invested over $137 million to ensure that high-speed internet would reach over 36.500 residences and businesses in the next ten years, as reported by Engadget. The delivery of 5G is highly-anticipated in countries around the world, but the delivery of broadband to rural parts of a country as large as the US has turned out to be a rather difficult problem. Some estimates say that around 39% of rural America doesn’t have access to high-speed broadband, despite billions in private and government investment over the last few decades. The coverage of rural America is extremely expensive, and it might not even be possible in some places, mostly due to the terrain. With 5G on its way, Pai and FCC hope to change that and cover as much of the country as possible.

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