CAF II Recipient NextLink Internet Earns IUB ETC Status

AMG Technology Investment Group, a Texas-based company that provides internet services under the NextLink Internet brand, was one of the big winners in the CAF II round of funding for unserved and underserved rural areas across the country. This month, the Iowa Utilities Board granted the company status as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in Iowa, where the company was awarded over $50 million in federal subsidies.

The IUB's order, issued on November 20th, will allow NextLink to move forward with its plans to collect the CAF II subsidies and build out broadband access in 5,683 census blocks across the state. The CAF II funding comes with several stipulations that NextLink will be required to meet, including internet speeds of at least 10 Mbps x 1 Mbps and a voice services offering. NextLink says it plans to use a combination of fiber and fixed wireless to meet those requirements.