Bandera Electric Cooperative won $1,689,601 in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction to deploy high-speed, fiber-optic broadband service to 534 additional meters within its service territory.
BEC was one of 180 winning bidders in the auction with the 10-year support totaling $9.23 billion, covering 49 states and one territory. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Auction is the largest reverse auction to date and is part of the FCC’s effort to bridge the digital divide.
The funds from the FCC will help BEC advance its vision of Reimagining Rural America by making broadband access available to more members.
“BEC has a fiduciary responsibility to its member-owners, and we are resolute in searching for strategic ways to make the most of members’ resources,” said Shane Schmidt, BEC fiber manager. “Our goal is to have 10,000 members connected by the end of 2021.”
BEC currently serves portions of Bandera, Kendall, Kerr and Real counties, and offers fiber service to more than 55% of its members. BEC is on pace to connect 2,500 subscribers this year, expanding fiber availability to 4,200 new locations. To find out if fiber service is available in your area, please visit BanderaElectric.com/FiberService.