Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined her colleagues in sending a letter to the Acting Federal Communications (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel pushing for an end to the delay of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) distribution.
“I was proud to work to ensure New York and the North Country were not excluded from this critical funding, but it is time to end this delay, so our rural communities can have access to connectivity,” Stefanik said. “The FCC has already determined these communities are in need of broadband, and they do not deserve to wait in uncertainty. I will continue to work until every resident of the North Country can access affordable high-speed internet from their homes, schools, and businesses.”
Nine months ago, the FCC announced Phase 1 awards under the RDOF, which would deploy broadband to 5.2 million unserved locations. However, several recipients still have not received their funding, leaving these communities unsure of when they will receive their critical funding to access broadband.
“Every day the FCC does not provide direction, more and more Americans will go longer without broadband that is essential for their daily lives,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
Stefanik worked with former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to ensure the state of New York was eligible for RDOF Phase 1 funding.
