Lumen Technologies announced Friday that it was relinquishing control of over 41,000 Rural Digital Opportunity Fund locations spread across eight states and 153 census block groups.
In a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau Chief Joseph Calascione, Lumen stated that it was “returning all census block groups (“CBGs”) where it was awarded RDOF funding” in Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington.
Headed by CEO Kate Johnson, the Monroe, La. based internet-service provider did not give a reason for the relinquishment, stating only that it “understands that it will no longer be entitled to receive further RDOF support for the surrendered CBGs and that it may be subject to applicable non-compliance rules.”
Here are the 20 census blocks to be relinquished in Minnesota:
- 270030507104
- 270030508131
- 270030511011
- 270030512062
- 270079400021
- 270251101001
- 270251101002
- 270251102003
- 270251103021
- 270530265141
- 270530267081
- 270530268076
- 270530268123
- 270530269092
- 270717903002
- 270717905002
- 270774603001
- 270774604002
- 271230413022
- 271239800001
The fine indicated in the article is pretty small for Lumen and its involved affiliates. In areas where Lumen’s affiliates outbid a competent provider, the FCC forfeitures should include an amount that represents the long-term economic loss suffered by the areas by the lack of quality high-speed internet services. A few thousand dollars per location seems pretty small given the economic setbacks potentially suffered by the affected residents.