Rule2022-22677
Rural eConnectivity Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 19, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on February 26, 2021, to establish the Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect Program). The final rule described the eligibility requirements, the application process, the criteria that RUS uses to assess applicants' creditworthiness and outlined the application process. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it was published and providing responses to the public comments that addressed the broadband speed used to determine eligibility.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 19, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22677]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
7 CFR Part 1740
[Docket No. RUS-20-Telecom-0023]
RIN 0572-AC51
Rural eConnectivity Program
AGENCY: Rural Utilities, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule; confirmation and response to comments.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or Agency), an agency in the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development
Mission area, published a final rule with comment in the Federal
Register on February 26, 2021, to establish the Rural eConnectivity
Program (ReConnect Program). The final rule described the eligibility
requirements, the application process, the criteria that RUS uses to
assess applicants' creditworthiness and outlined the application
process. Through this action, RUS is confirming the final rule as it
was published and providing responses to the public comments that
addressed the broadband speed used to determine eligibility.
DATES: The final rule published February 26, 2021, at 86 FR 11609, is
confirmed as of April 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Leverrier, Assistant
Administrator; Telecommunication Program; Rural Development; U.S.
Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue SW; Room 4121-S;
Washington, DC 20250; telephone 202-720-3416, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ff939e8a8d9a93d1939a899a8d8d969a8dbf8a8c9b9ed1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e38f829691868fcd8f86958691918a8691a396908782cd848c95">[email protected]</span></a>. Persons with disabilities or who require
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target
Center at 202-720-2600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ReConnect Program was authorized by the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141), which directed
the program to be conducted under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
(7 U.S.C. 901 et seq). The program has received successive
appropriations by Congress and has matured due to Agency experience and
feedback provided by stakeholders. Since its establishment in 2018, the
ReConnect Program has been implemented by issuing four Funding
Opportunity Announcements (FOA).
The ReConnect Program provides loans, grants, and loan/grant
combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. In
facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure,
the program fuels long-term rural economic development and
opportunities across rural America.
The final rule that published February 26, 2021 (86 FR 11603),
included a 60-day comment period that ended on April 27, 2021. The
final rule specifically requested comments on the speed used to
determine eligibility. The Agency received comments from 73
respondents. Respondents included industry associations, engineering
firms, individuals, education providers, Tribes and Tribal
organizations, economic development and municipal organizations,
manufacturers, telecommunications providers and nonprofits. Thirty-five
of the respondents provided constructive feedback on the regulation and
the remaining 38 were supportive of the program.
As requested in the rule, several of the constructive comments
included suggestions to increase the standard of sufficient access from
10/1 Mbps to at least 25/3 Mbps. One respondent requested that RUS
acknowledge that the current definition of broadband, 25/3 Mbps, does
not correspond with the requisite download and upload speeds for many
businesses, education, and health care applications. Two recommended
that RUS use a weighted priority scale to allow funds to go first to
10/1 areas, and then to areas up to 25/3 or even higher. Two others
requested that RUS prioritize areas with speeds slower than 25/3 Mbps
and suggested that sufficient access should be defined at 100/20 Mbps.
Agency response: As provided in 7 CFR part 1940, ``Sufficient
Access to Broadband'' is set forth in each funding announcement. No
change to the rulemaking is necessary. Comments provided in response to
the rule were taken into account for the funding announcement issued on
October 25, 2021, at 86 FR 58860.
The RUS appreciates comments from interested parties. The Agency
confirms the final rule without change.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22677 Filed 10-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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