Rural Carriers Want Reconsideration of 5G Fund

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2025 – Rural wireless carriers are asking federal regulators to hit pause on a $9 billion program to expand 5G coverage.

“There are several significant objectives that should be completed before conducting the 5G Fund auction, to avoid wasting or improperly targeting 5G Fund support in rural America,” a coalition of nine regional providers wrote in a Jan. 16 petition asking the Federal Communications Commission to reconsider its rules for the fund.

The agency adopted final rules for the 5G Fund for Rural America in August 2024, but didn’t set up a definitive timeline. It’s set to be a reverse auction in which carriers bid to serve areas with the lowest level of government support.