(12.04.2019)

The agency has spent billions subsidizing rural broadband — $34.5 billion from 2010 to 2017, according to the Government Accountability Office — with more money coming from other programs. As of the end of 2016, there are 24 million Americans without access to broadband.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Friday that he hopes to start the auction in December and the fund proceeding later this year.