FCC Authorizes Funds for Skybeam Rural Broadband Experiment in Iowa

The FCC Wireline Bureau authorized $569,796 to fund a Skybeam rural broadband experiment in 265 census blocks in Iowa. "The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is directed and authorized to obligate and disburse from the Connect America reserve account the support amounts identified ... to Skybeam," said a bureau public notice Tuesday. "Because Skybeam elected to receive 30 percent of the total support upfront in exchange for meeting accelerated deployment obligations, USAC shall disburse 30 percent of the total support amount with the first monthly payment and disburse the remaining 70 percent of its support in 120 equal monthly installments over the 10-year term."