Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

This bill aims to protect rural broadband dollars by making the FCC carefully check companies before they can get certain high-cost internet funds. Applicants must prove they have the people, money, tools, and a solid plan to build and run the promised broadband service. The FCC will use clear standards and look at each company’s track record in other government broadband programs before any money goes out. Only applicants that meet these standards can receive new awards after the rules are set .

The FCC must start a rulemaking within 180 days to create this vetting process. The rules must be technology neutral, require detailed documentation up front, and include penalties if a winner backs out before final authorization—including at least a $9,000 penalty per violation and a base forfeiture of no less than 30% of the support, unless the FCC shows a need for lower penalties in a specific case .

• Who is affected: Internet providers seeking high-cost universal service funds; rural and other high-cost communities that rely on these networks; the FCC, which will run the vetting process .
• What changes: Stronger up-front proof of capability and business plan; review against established standards and past compliance; only qualified applicants can win; meaningful penalties for backing out early .
• When: The FCC must begin writing the rules within 180 days, and the new vetting will apply to new funding awards after those rules are in place .