Private Companies Should Be Allowed To Apply For Broadband Stimulus Funding

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: dewayne () warpspeed com (Dewayne Hendricks)
Date: March 16, 2009 3:26:00 PM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <xyzzy () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Private Companies Should Be Allowed To Apply  
For Broadband Stimulus Funding

Private Companies Should Be Allowed To Apply For Broadband Stimulus  
Funding
Cable, Satellite, Wireless Industries Believe Companies Shouldn't Have  
To Partner With Government To Be Eligible
Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 3/16/2009 10:55:22 AM MT
<http://www.multichannel.com/article/190039-Private_Companies_Should_Be_Allowed_To_Apply_For_Broadband_Stimulus_Funding.php 
>
The cable, satellite, and wireless industries got together Monday to  
tell the National Telecommunications & Information Administration that  
it should allow private companies to apply for the $4.7 billion in  
broadband stimulus grant money without having to partner with  
governments or other eligible entities.

Others argued that private entities were the ones that had thus far  
left the communities at issue without broadband, or without broadband  
of sufficient speeds and reasonable prices, and therefore needed to  
work in tandem with the government if they wanted a shot at the money.

That debate came at the second of a series of public meetings on the  
grant/loan program, this one focusing on the eligibility of private  
entities, an issue of obvious importance to the cable broadband  
service providers and networks seeking some of that money.

The way the economic stimulus package law was written, governments,  
nonprofits and tribal organizations are all free to apply for the  
money, but private entities like service and network providers can  
only apply if the NTIA determines it is in the public interest.

The morning session at NTIA's Washington headquarters on private  
sector eligibility was part of the process of helping the agency  
decide how to make that call.
Curt Stamp, president of the Independent Telephone and  
Telecommunications Alliance, spoke for an alliance of private-sector  
telecom companies, including National Cable & Telecommunications  
Association, in arguing that those industries have the track records  
and extensive expertise.

Stamp said that the groups he represented wanted NTIA to make eligible  
any entity that held an FCC license, a stated certification, cable  
franchise or similar government authority, saying they had clearly  
demonstrated the capacity to carry out the projects in compliance with  
applicable laws and in an expeditious and efficient manner. He said  
since they had already been found to be viable service providers, no  
other additional review was necessary. Stamp wasn't precluding making  
any others eligible, just that they might need a higher bar of vetting.

He recevied an assist from Debbie Goldman, telecommunications policy  
directoir for the Communications Workers of America, who said that  
past performance should be a strong consideration. She said that the  
proven track record should be an important criteria, suggesting that  
demonstrating the financial, technical and managerial chops to  
complete the project quickly and continue operating it after the  
stimulus money has been expended.

[snip]
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