Intense Competition for Broadband Funds

August 2009---"The numbers are in: 2,200 applications are requesting $27.6 billion in first round broadband stimulus funding.

The problem: There’s only $4.3 billion available.

Welcome to the competition.

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), applications were submitted by a diverse range of applicants, including state, local and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; industry; anchor institutions, such as libraries, universities, community colleges and hospitals; public safety organizations; and other entities in rural, suburban and urban areas.

While the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided a total of $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funding, approximately $2.4 billion from RUS and up to $1.6 billion from NTIA is available in this first grant round."

To read more visit the Knight Center of Digital Excellence website.