The FCC reports…

By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) announces that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBGs) are now eligible for other funding programs.  Specifically, CenturyTel of Montana, Inc.; CenturyTel of Washington, Inc.; Embarq Florida, Inc.; and Qwest Corporation (collectively, Lumen) have notified the Commission of their decision to withdraw from the RDOF program in Colorado (study area code (SAC) 465102), Florida (SAC 210341), Idaho (SAC 475162), Minnesota (SAC 365142), Montana (SAC 482249), Nebraska (SAC 375143), Oregon (SAC 535163), and Washington (SAC 522408).[1]  Additionally, Commnet Four Corners, LLC (Commnet) has notified the Commission of its decision to withdraw from the RDOF program in Colorado (SAC 469011).[1]  Both carriers will be subject to non-compliance measures, as described below.  We also refer Commnet’s default to the Enforcement Bureau for further consideration.

By announcing in this Public Notice that Lumen and Commnet will not meet their RDOF obligations in the identified states, we take the necessary step to formally announce that the eligible census blocks within the relevant CBGs are eligible for funding from other federal and state funding programs subject to the rules of the other programs,[2] furthering our responsibility to coordinate with other agencies to maximize the deployment of high-quality broadband service across the United States.[3]  To promote the efficient use of broadband funding, a number of funding programs make areas ineligible for broadband deployment funding where a service provider is already subject to an enforceable commitment to serve.[4]  This announcement avoids leaving these areas unserved for the duration of the RDOF deployment terms,[1] because providers may now have access to alternative funding to serve these areas.

[1] RDOF recipients authorized in 2021 and 2022 must offer the required service to 100% of their original location total by December 31, 2027 and December 31, 2028, respectively.  RDOF Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 709, para. 45.  If more locations than the original estimated are identified during the support term, recipients will have an additional two years to serve the additional locations subject to limited exceptions.  Id. at 710, para. 49.