The upcoming FCC CAF-II auction will distribute $1.98 billion over the course of ten years to broadband carriers who agree to bring broadband service to identified unserved and underserved markets across 20 states. Today the FCC released the names of 220 applicants who qualified as bidders for the upcoming July 2018 auction auction 903. Fifty-seven applicants failed to qualify.

The qualified applicants include rural telcos and cable companies, WISPs, electric cooperatives, satellite broadband providers, and a few other company types. All qualified bidders have been automatically registered for the auction, according to the FCC and will be sent the appropriate paperwork to continue in the process.

The reverse auction will use the FCC’s CAF II bidding system. The FCC is offering a couple of tutorials to help qualified bidders navigate the auction process. An online tutorial will be available on the FCC’s Auction 903 website by 12:00p ET June 29^th. Additionally, the FCC will be hosting a workshop July 9^th at FCC headquarters in Washington DC. 

A mock auction will take place on July 18^th, with the live auction scheduled to begin 10:00a ET on July 24^th.