The FCC has announced providers who have accepted E-ACAM support, which means more time and money to build to broadband at speeds of 100/20 rather than the old A-CAM goal of 25/3…

Today, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces carriers that have accepted offers of model-based Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) support.

Here are the providers that accepted in Minnesota (name followed by current funding mechanism):

• Albany Mutual Telephone Association      ACAM
• Alliance Communications Cooperative, Inc            ACAM
• Arvig Enterprises, Inc.     ACAM
• Benton Cooperative Telephone Company               ACAM
• Consolidated Telephone Company            BLS
• Emily Cooperative Telephone Company   BLS
• Garden Valley Telephone Company           ACAM
• Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association    ACAM
• Halstad Telephone Company        ACAM
• Harmony Telephone Company     ACAM
• Johnson Telephone Company      ACAM
• Kasson & Mantorville Telephone Company            ACAM
• Manchester-Hartland Telephone                BLS
• Park Region Mutual Telephone Company of Minnesota     ACAM
• Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative             ACAM
• Spring Grove Communications     ACAM
• Telephone & Data Systems, incl. UScellular            ACAM
• Upsala Cooperative Telephone Association            ACAM
• West Central Telephone Assn.     ACAM
• Wikstrom Telephone Company, Inc.         ACAM
• Tri-Co Technologies, LLC BLS

The FCC adds…

Confirmation of receipt of a carrier’s election letter and inclusion on this list does not constitute authorization to receive Enhanced A-CAM support pursuant to the terms of the offer.  Carriers electing Enhanced A-CAM support will not begin receiving such support until the Bureau issues a public notice authorizing the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to disburse the appropriate amounts.  The Commission is publishing this list of carriers that have accepted Enhanced A-CAM “to inform, among other processes, the BEAD Program challenges conducted by states or eligible entities and prevent any duplication of support to a location where it is determined that the Enhanced A-CAM service provider plans to deploy a technology that would satisfy the requirements for being deemed an enforceable commitment for the deployment of qualifying broadband to a location.”

They add…

We note that based on the election letters received, the number of acceptances has exceeded the participation threshold set by the Commission in the Enhanced A-CAM Order.

Here’s more information on Enhanced A-CAM and BEAD from Cost Quest…

The primary purpose of Enhanced A-CAM is to synchronize study areas with the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funding initiatives. This alignment is aimed at preventing redundant funding efforts and potential strategic manipulation within the same geographical zones.

There are two ways Enhanced ACAM aligns with the NTIA BEAD funding program:

• The locations are based on Version 2 (V2) of the National Broadband Map to align with the locations under the BEAD program.
• The timeline is the same as outlined by the NTIA for BEAD locations – 4 years.

The eligible Enhanced ACAM areas will be excluded from BEAD eligibility due to their receipt of Enhanced A-CAM funding. This alteration is anticipated to enhance the efficacy of BEAD funds in expanding coverage. Telecom analyst Mike Conlow highlights, “If all ISPs accept the Enhanced A-CAM offer and build fiber, cable, or licensed fixed wireless, that takes 582,675 locations off the board for the BEAD program,” (Mike Conlow’s Newsletter).