HARRISBURG — Three companies — including Elon Musk’s SpaceX — have been awarded federal funding to bring broadband to more than 5,300 homes in the local region.
According to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, a total of 13 bidders in Pennsylvania will receive $368.7 million over the next 10 years to bring high speed internet service to homes and businesses in 184,505 locations that are underserved, or do not have access to broadband that meets current federal standards.
For McKean County, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (also known as SpaceX) was awarded $688,928 for 809 locations, while Windstream Services LLC was awarded $3,954,468 for 1,199 locations.
For Elk County, Windstream Services LLC was awarded $5,077,543 for 1,288 locations.
For Potter County, Co-op Connections Consortium was awarded $4,329,860 for 1,800 locations, while Space Exploration Technologies Corp. was awarded $50,293 for 112 locations.
For Cameron County, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. will receive $48,241 for 16 locations, while Windstream Services will receive $2,132,042 for 690 locations.
The PUC recently approved petitions from five companies to allow them access to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The companies are Claverack Communications LLC, Time Warner Cable, Centre WISP Venture Co., and expansions of Armstrong Telecommunications and Tri-County Connections LLC.
According to the FCC, the Pennsylvania projects will reach an estimated 327,000 residents in every county but Northampton.