The FCC reports…

The Federal Communications Commission announced that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBG) are now eligible for other funding programs.  Specifically, Savage Communications (Savage) has notified the FCC of its decision to withdraw from the RDOF support program in the CBGs covered by its remaining authorized winning bids in Minnesota (study area code (SAC) 369052).  FiberLight of Virginia, LLC (FiberLight) has also notified the FCC of its decision to withdraw from the RDOF support program in the CBGs covered by its remaining authorized winning bids in Virginia (SAC 199031). Additionally, South Central Connect has notified the FCC it will not fulfill its commitment to offer voice and broadband service to certain CBGs within its RDOF supported service area in Arkansas (SAC 409043).  Southwest Arkansas Telecommunications & Technology, Inc. d/b/a Four States Fiber (Four States Fiber) has also notified the FCC it will not fulfill its commitment to offer voice and broadband to certain CBGs within its RDOF supported service areas in Arkansas (SAC 409055) and Louisiana (SAC 279060).  Finally, Siuslaw Broadband has notified the FCC of its decision to withdraw from the RDOF program in Oregon (SAC 539024).  These carriers will be subject to non-compliance measures.  Additionally, we refer Savage, South Central Connect, Four States Fiber, and Hyak’s defaults to the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau for further consideration. The FCC also took the necessary step to formally announce that the relevant census blocks are eligible for funding from other federal and state funding programs subject to the rules of the other programs.  This announcement avoids leaving these areas unserved for the duration of the RDOF deployment terms, because providers may now have access to alternative funding to serve these areas.  These carriers remain subject to all eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) obligations unless and until they follow the relevant procedures to relinquish their designations. Additionally, they cannot discontinue voice service without Commission approval.