FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC AWARDS WINNING BIDS IN
2024 REVERSE AUCTION
Lincoln, March 26, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service
Commission (PSC) issued an Order in docket NUSF-131
awarding nearly $21 million to winning bids for
broadband buildout to more than 1,100 unserved
Nebraska households as a result of its 2024 Reverse
Auction.
The 2024 reverse auction was designed to provide
broadband capable voice service to rural areas where
telecommunication carriers Frontier and Windstream
have traditionally provided only voice service by
redistributing Nebraska Universal Service Fund (NUSF)
support that was either unused or withheld from the
two companies.
“We are extremely pleased with participation and outcome
of the 2024 reverse auction,” said Commission Chair Dan
Watermeier. “The bids awarded will help these companies
connect unserved households in rural Nebraska.”
Bidding in the reverse auction began on January 22 with the
final round held on March 11. Four entities were ultimately
awarded bids in the reverse auction. The winning bidders
consisted of Great Plains Communications, the Hamilton
Consortium, Midstates Communications and Pinpoint
Communications. More details on the areas that were
awarded bids can be found on the Commissions broadband
map at < https://broadbandmap.nebraska.gov >.
The PSC awarded $5,726,880 of an available $5,845,893 in
support for Windstream areas and $15,235,366 of an
available $15,996,054.50 for Frontier areas.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “This process is proving to
be a valuable method in ensuring distributed NUSF funds
are being used for broadband buildout to Nebraska’s
unserved areas.” ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Communications & Media Mgr.
(402) 471-0226/deb.collins@nebraska.gov
