The Benton Institute has created a nice outline of info you need to know about the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction, especially for potential bidders…

This week, the Federal Communications Commission established procedures for the first phase of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund auction (Auction 904, if you’re scoring at home). This initial round of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will provide $16 billion over 10 years to deploy networks that offer voice and broadband service to underserved rural areas. The bidding in the auction is scheduled to begin on October 29, 2020; the application window for potential bidders opens on July 1. The procedures aim to ensure that bidders have the business experience and financial means to deploy networks — and intend to use a network technology that will allow them to meet performance requirements. Here we look at some steps for potential bidders considering participating in the auction.

As someone who has tried to find info on all phases of CAF specifics after the fact, I can say it’s nice to have everything spelled out. There are greater details in the article.