FCC Order 17-102.pdf

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order to extend mobile opportunities to rural America through the Mobility Fund Phase II (MF-II) challenge process. The MF-II challenge process aims to direct support to rural areas lacking unsubsidized 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) service. The process will begin with a one-time collection of standardized 4G LTE coverage data from mobile wireless providers, followed by an opportunity for interested parties to contest initial determinations of ineligible areas. Providers will then have an opportunity to respond to challenges. The FCC established a budget of $4.53 billion over ten years to provide ongoing support for areas lacking adequate mobile voice and broadband coverage. The eligible areas will be aggregated into census block groups or census tracts for competitive bidding in the auction. The challenge process will be administratively efficient, fiscally responsible, and enable the resolution of eligible area disputes quickly.