FCC Moves Forward with 5G Fund for Rural America
Carr argued against moving forward with fund changes before BEAD deployments.

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Carr argued against moving forward with fund changes before BEAD deployments.
WASHINGTON, August 29, 2024 – The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules Thursday to advance the deployment of 5G mobile broadband services in rural communities across the U.S., breathing new life into the 5G Fund for Rural America.
The agency's $9 billion initiative to bring voice and 5G services to rural areas unlikely to see unsubsidized deployment has seen little progress since its last rulemaking in 2020.
In a 4-1 vote, Commissioner Nathan Simington sided with the Democratic majority, while Commissioner Brendan Carr cast the lone dissenting vote.
Initiative aims to strengthen U.S. telecom security and counter foreign threats.
Warns Cruz's effort would cut off internet access for millions.
Analyst Annie Chestnut Tutor sees various entities extracting hundreds of millions of dollars from the E-Rate Program.
The fund's constitutionality is being challenged at the Supreme Court, and lawmakers are looking for new revenue source besides voice.