Friend,

The FCC aims to allocate $9.2 billion to 180 broadband providers to bring internet access to 5.2 million “unserved” homes and businesses in rural areas across the United States.

However, the agency's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund came under heavy scrutiny after Free Press published a six-part investigation that exposed several questionable applicants that sought to bring connectivity to places like unoccupied parking lots, storage tanks and traffic islands, as well as areas that other providers already served.

HAPPENING NOW: Join us for a Free Press Facebook Live discussion about the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund with Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner.

On this episode, we’re talking with Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner, who led the RDOF investigation, and asking the questions: “What did former FCC Chairman Pai do wrong? Is this $9.2 billion in ratepayer dollars being allocated in the most efficient way?” Join us live and submit your questions in the comments.

Free Press Live airs every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET via facebook.com/freepress. Turn on your live notifications now so you don’t miss what’s new in the world of media, tech and human rights.

Hope to see you online,

Collette and the rest of the Free Press Facebook Live team
freepress.net

P.S. We’re live on Facebook talking with Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner about what went wrong with the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. You can also tune in on YouTube.