Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act

This bill aims to speed up rural broadband in places with very short building seasons, like areas with long, snowy winters. It tells the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to move certain broadband applications to the front of the line so projects in these hard-weather areas can start on time and not miss their narrow window to build. The goal is to level the playing field for providers that face tougher weather and shorter summers.

It applies to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase II, which focuses on bringing internet to areas that are only partly served today. Phase I targets places with no service at all.

• Who is affected: Rural communities with short construction seasons, internet providers applying to RDOF Phase II, and the FCC.
• What changes: The FCC must prioritize and quickly process long-form applications and related paperwork for projects in the shortest-season areas.
• When: Once in effect, this priority applies to RDOF Phase II applications going forward.