Order released on July 7, 2026
SUMMARY
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order on July 7, 2026, providing additional information and guidance on Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) final deployment locations, interim service milestones, and final requirements. In addition, guidance is provided regarding FCC notification requirements, Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) verification reviews, and Fabric Challenge timelines.
THIS MAY APPLY TO YOU IF…
Your company receives RDOF funding.
ACTION ITEMS & TIMELINE
Review the following key dates regarding challenges, final RDOF locations, and variances from your awarded number of locations:
- September 1, 2026: Fabric challenges must be submitted by this date to be considered for inclusion in the December 2026 Fabric. This is critical if your RDOF territory has invalid or missing locations.
- December 2026: This Fabric version will be the basis for RDOF recipients’ final deployment location obligation.
- January 2027: FCC will post RDOF locations lists based on December 2026 Fabric. HUBB will also be updated with December 2026 Fabric lists.
- March 1, 2027: Carriers with fewer RDOF locations in the Fabric than originally awarded must notify the FCC.
- May 2027: Final RDOF location lists adopted and announced via Public Notice.
- May 2027: Window opens for Unreasonable to Serve Locations Process requests (Applicable to RDOF recipients that are required to deploy to more locations than originally authorized).
