Broadband to Receive $7.2 Billion Under Conference Bill
Both the broadband provisions and funding level under the conference version of the stimulus bill have been made available. The bill sets funding at $7.2 billion, with RUS receiving $2.5 billion and NTIA getting $4.7 billion. Also of note in the conference bill is the adoption of the Senate approach to open access and network neutrality, which now incorporates a direct reference to the FCC’s Broadband Principles. Any grant funding awarded by NTIA must, at a minimum, adhere to these principles when building and operating networks. Finally, there is no longer a requirement that at least 50% of NTIA’s funds go to rural areas, instead making those grant funds widely available.You can read the appropriations language relating to RUS here, and to NTIA here. You can also read the text of the section relating to NTIA’s new Broadband TOPS program here.