Two carriers to get federal $$ for Internet expansion

Washington News Service

SEATTLE – About 23,000 homes and businesses in Washington are on the list to receive a broadband Internet connection, some for the first time.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund started three years ago, for broadband service expansions that could take up to six years to complete.

According to FCC spokesman Mark Wigfield, the goal is to get higher-speed Internet service to sparsely-populated areas, by adding some financial incentive for providers to install or upgrade the technology.

“Rural areas tend to be more expensive to serve because there’...