FCC Ready to Authorize Additional $800M in RDOF

The FCC said it's ready to authorize nearly $800 million in additional Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction support for six providers. The funding will support deployment to more than 350,000 locations in 19 states, said a Wednesday news release. The FCC is "confident these projects can bring quality service to currently unserved areas," said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Bids by AMG Technology Investment Group, GeoLinks, Connect Everyone, GigaBeam Networks, SafeLink and Shenandoah Cable Television are ready to be authorized. Letters of credit and bankruptcy code opinion letters are due by Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. EDT. “We appreciate the FCC’s deep analysis of our application and ultimate approval,” said Nextlink Chief Strategy Officer Claude Aiken. The company is "well-positioned to move quickly to connect the unconnected," said CEO and co-founder Bill Baker. The FCC also listed Monster Broadband and some of GeoLinks, Connect Everyone and Shenandoah's bids in default.