Early Impact of FCC's Connect America Fund Felt

Innovation is exciting, but as broadband, Ethernet and connectivity in general are experiencing enhancement there are still many patches of the United States lacking in the necessary infrastructure to support the modern, always-on, always plugged-in, on-demand world in which we live. Legislation is ushering in initiatives to deliver rural areas the same digital reality as the rest of the nation.

As part of a $2 billion rural broadband project, Windstream announced the deployment of fixed wireless technology to offer citizens of western Poteau, Oklahoma broadband speeds of up to 100 mbps.

This first deployment phase supports service delivery to almost 900 locations throughout western Porteau, with the overarching project reaching completion by the end of Q4 and totaling nearly 9,000 locations qualify for fixed wireless broadband services.  

Both businesses and residences are eligible for services under the FCC’s Connect America Fund initiative. Windstream is contributing to the project with pole mounted antennas to transmit the broadband to receivers at the end user’s location. The resulting performance likened to wired solutions and a vastly improved end user experience.

"Fixed wireless technology is an alternative to traditional cabled networks that enables Windstream to deploy broadband service more quickly and cost effectively in some rural areas," said Aaron Morris, director of Windstream Operations in Oklahoma. "I'm delighted that we have been able to bring this innovative technology to bear in the Poteau area. We know customers want faster speed, and we are committed to delivering it."

Digital transformation is touching all points of society, but unfortunately there is a digital gap between geographies. It is projects like the FCC’s Connect America Fund is fixating on addressing the matter.

Edited by Maurice Nagle