Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

This legislation, known as the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025, directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a comprehensive vetting process for prospective applicants seeking high-cost universal service program funding. This funding is specifically for the deployment of broadband-capable networks and the provision of supported services, aiming to ensure that only qualified entities receive these critical resources. The FCC is required to initiate a rulemaking proceeding within 180 days of enactment to define this vetting process. Applicants for new funding awards must demonstrate their technical, financial, and operational capabilities , along with a reasonable business plan, to successfully deploy the proposed network and deliver services. The Commission will evaluate these proposals against well-established technical, financial, and operational standards, including those used for broadband availability coverage, and consider the applicant's history of compliance with other government broadband funding programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates the FCC to set significant penalties for pre-authorization defaults . These penalties must be at least $9,000 per violation and generally not less than 30 percent of the applicant's total support, unless the Commission provides a specific justification for a lower amount in a particular instance. This measure aims to enhance accountability and deter unqualified or non-compliant applicants from misusing federal funds.