Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act
Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act (H.R. 46) would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to give priority processing to long-form applications in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase II auction. The bill aims to level the playing field for service providers that face the most challenging construction conditions—specifically areas with the shortest construction seasons due to factors like long winters and heavy snowfall. By directing the FCC to prioritize processing of these long-form applications and any related paperwork, the bill seeks to speed up the time to decision and, ultimately, support broadband deployment in hard-to-build rural areas identified as having limited construction windows. In short, if adopted, the act would push the FCC to move more quickly on applications from bidders proposing service in regions where weather and seasons make building infrastructure especially difficult.
Key Points
- 1Short title and purpose
- 2- The bill is titled the Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act and seeks to level the playing field for rural broadband providers hindered by short construction seasons.
- 3Targeted focus
- 4- Applies to long-form applicants in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase II auction, specifically prioritizing those proposing service in areas with the shortest construction seasons (e.g., areas with long winters and heavy snowfall).
- 5Application processing priority
- 6- The FCC would be required to prioritize timely processing of long-form applications and any subsequent paperwork submitted by the long-form applicants.
- 7Basis for prioritization
- 8- The prioritization is tied to eligibility and geographic area designations from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase II framework, referencing the FCC’s 2020 Report and Order (FCC 20-5).
- 9Scope and implementation
- 10- There is no new funding or authorization beyond directing processing priorities; the bill alters administrative processing rather than creating new programs or budgets.