The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it had adopted new rules to move forward with targeted investments in the deployment of advanced, 5G mobile wireless broadband services in rural communities. The bipartisan vote on these rules reignites the 5G Fund for Rural America using the FCC’s new and improved broadband coverage map, which shows that millions of homes and businesses lack mobile 5G coverage.

“With the progress we’ve made in mapping broadband service availability, there is no reason to wait to put the 5G Fund to work connecting households and businesses in rural communities across the country,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “We are ready to use every tool available to make sure that those who live, work, and travel in rural America have access to advanced, 5G mobile wireless broadband services.”

For Phase I of the 5G Fund, the Commission will use a multi-round reverse auction to distribute up to $9 billion to bring voice and 5G mobile broadband service to rural areas of the country unlikely to otherwise see unsubsidized deployment of 5G-capable networks. Once the Commission is ready, we will announce the expected start of the auction through a Public Notice.

The 5G Fund Phase I auction will rely on the mobile coverage data obtained in the Broadband Data Collection — including through the FCC’s Mobile Speed Test app — and reflected on the FCC’s National Broadband Map. In 2021, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel established a Task Force dedicated to implementing long-overdue improvements to the agency’s broadband data and mapping tools. The Task Force continues to gather data and update the maps to ensure that programs like the 5G Fund effectively target its resources.

Additionally, to promote the deployment of Open Radio Access Network technology (Open RAN) and its benefits for competition, national security and supply chain reliability, the 5G Fund now includes up to $900 million in incentives for incorporating Open RAN in 5G Fund-supported networks.

This Second Report and Order, adopted by a full vote of the Commission, also modifies the definition of areas eligible for 5G Fund Phase I support and ensures that areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that meet the new definition will be included in the auction. The item increases the overall budget for Phase I of the 5G Fund to up to $9 billion and proportionally increases the Tribal reserve budget — a set-aside portion of the fund to support connecting Tribal communities. The rules also require that recipients of 5G Fund support implement cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans.