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Final broadband stimulus figure: $7.2 billion
Congress approved the $787 billion economic stimulus bill Friday night by a vote of 60-38, after much debate and compromise that saw the final sum, as well as all of its parts, shift up and down several times in a matter of days. It wasn't really much of a compromise, of course, because that word suggests two side working together to reach common agreement, but this was purely Democrats vs. Republicans.
In any case, the figure for broadband stimulus funds was about $7.2 billion, at least a few hundred million higher than several reports had suggested earlier last week. The money will be split and directed toward projects benefitting underserved and rural markets. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, overseen by the Department of Commerce, will distribute$4.7 billion, while the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service will deliver $2.5 billion.
The amount of money and the choice of administrators are among points being criticized, but at this point all that remains is President Obama's signature, which is expected early this week.
For more:
The San Francisco Chronicle has this report
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Comments
Posted by Anonymous | March 2, 2009 - 9:44am
I agree about the NTIA short notice -- possibly this is tailored to the Washington lobby groups who are just up the street, and representing big organizations who want to get their foot in the door for rural market expansion - both vendors and service providers. Not a good omen for the Obama stimulus process -- Note: If any Obama or NTIA insiders see this posting, please do somnething about the logistics and metting process -- how about a WEBX so that all parties can participate !
Posted by Anonymous | February 25, 2009 - 1:35pm
Interesting that NTIA has their first information meeting in DC with short notice for folks to make travel plans. It seems that a programs that is targeted toward rural and underserved areas should have information meetings outside Washington D.C.
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