October 5, 2012

Washington, D.C.- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced grants totaling $21,060,477 to Commnet of Nevada to begin construction of mobile telecommunications infrastructure projects in rural Nevada communities which currently lack access to 3G or 4G mobile service. Awardees were selected by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through America’s first “Mobility Fund” auction. The funding was made possible by the FCC’s Universal Service Program which allocated $300 million to a new Mobility Fund meant to help close gaps in mobile coverage in the United States.

“This is a good day for communities in rural Nevada,” said Reid. “I am pleased that these grants from the FCC will ensure Nevada communities are connected. There are large mobility coverage gaps that exist all over the country, which blocks many Americans from taking part in the mobile economy. By upgrading Nevada’s mobile infrastructure, exciting new educational and job opportunities will become available to Nevadans. With increased high-speed connectivity, our local economies will have new chances to thrive.”

According to the FCC, up to 83,000 U.S. road miles in 31 states where millions of Americans live will gain access to advanced mobile networks. Thirty-eight companies and subsidiaries participated in the auction, submitting nearly 900 bids. 

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