If you're applying for federal funds in the next round of the Commerce Department's broadband stimulus process, the U.S. government promises a more streamlined process the second time around.
"In response to lessons learned from the first funding round, RUS is making important changes that will make the process easier for applicants and target our resources toward 'last-mile' broadband connections to homes and businesses," said RUS Administrator Jonathan Adelstein in a statement.
A key focus for the NTIA will be on middle mile broadband projects that provide wholesale network connectivity not only to other service providers, but also libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities and public safety entities. Four states were awarded funding for middle mile projects during the first round of funding awards. A number of other aggressive applicants, including service providers (Level 3 and 360networks) and states (Massachusetts' Open Cape initiative and North Carolina's Microelectronics Center of North Carolina), are also vying for funding for their respective middle mile projects.
RUS will focus on last-mile projects, but it will open a subsequent funding window to provide funding for other programs, including satellite services that are still classified as 'unserved' after all of the ARRA broadband funding has been dished out.
For more:
- CED has this article
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