Windstream accepts $175 million in Connect America funding

Windstream Communications hasaccepted $175 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Connect America Fund (CAF). The money will help the carrier expand broadband service to more than 800,000 rural customers across 17 states.

“Windstream’s decision to accept support from the Connect America Fund will greatly benefit its rural customers by expanding robust broadband in their communities,” said FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “The Connect America Fund is delivering on its promise of ensuring that all Americans have access to the opportunities provided by modern broadband service, no matter where they live.”

The Connect America Fund subsidizes the expansion of high-speed Internet to rural areas, “where market forces alone can’t support expansion.” Carriers that accept CAF funding must expand broadband to 100% in funded locations by the end of 2020.

Frontier Communicationsaccepted $283 million from CAF in June. The Connect America Fundoffered CenturyLink $514.3 million, offered AT&T $484 million, and offered Verizon $143.9 million. Carriers must decide by August 27 whether to accept the CAF subsidies with obligations for rural broadband build-out on a statewide basis.

Windstream Takes $175M in Connect America Offer to Expand Rural Broadband (FCC, Aug. 5, 2015)

Frontier Communications Accepts Over $283 Million Connect America Fund Offer to Expand and Support Broadband for 1.3 Million Rural Americans (FCC, June 16, 2015)

FCC’s Connect America II offers $1.7B to expand rural broadband service (Speed Matters, Apr. 30, 2015)