Since the FCC bets on its ability to meet rural broadband availability targets, fixed wireless access (FWA) providers are the main beneficiaries of the RDOF fund.

Next link CEO Bill Baker said in a statement. "We are excited to partner with the FCC to deploy gigabit connectivity to households across rural America,"

"As a rural-based, rural-focused company, we look forward to partnering with the new communities we will serve under RDOF to ensure you can have world-class internet no matter where you live or work."

Additionally, Claude Aiken, Nextlink's Chief Strategy Officer, said: "Chairwoman Rosenworcel has had to make some tough calls on this program, and we appreciate the authorization of Nextlink. This is a win for consumers nationwide and will get these rural households and businesses connected years in advance of network buildouts under the BEAD program."

The RFDOF fund granted Nextlink $429,152,518. The company says it will use the funds to extend its reach to neighboring Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Louisiana. In addition, Nextlink will increase its footprint in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, South Dakota, and Iowa, 5G Fixed Wireless Provider Starry is another major Rural Development Organization Funds winner, which received $269 million.

According to Chet Kanojia, Starry's CEO and co-founder. "Having high-speed, reliable home broadband access has never been more important, and programs like RDOF are critical to ensuring that every community in the US has access to this essential service,"

"We're grateful for the opportunity to serve more Americans with the essential broadband they need. We thank Chairwoman Rosenworcel and the staff at the FCC for their thorough review of our application. We look forward to beginning our deployments and bringing #HappyInterneting to more communities across the country."

In addition to GigaBeam Networks, Anthem Broadband, and GeoLinks, other winning RDOF bidders have received approvals.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel also commented, "This funding will connect more households throughout the country with high-speed broadband as part of our ongoing work to close the digital divide,"