Tuesday, March 3, 2009

NTIA seeks input on broadband stimulus money

Everyone seems to be talking about the stimulus package these days, and the telecom industry is no different. The National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) got a $4.7 Billion chunk of Obama's stimulus bucket-o-money, and they're looking for ways to spend it. Where would be the most economical (yes, even I have to drop the buzz word) place to spend that money?

Consider the costs of laying thousands of miles of copper cable across the deserts, mountains, and tundras where broadband access is still unattainable. Now, consider this: depending on terrain and other circumstances, a GSM tower can substutute for anywhere from 4 to 50 miles of hard wiring. Not only that, but when considering manpower for installation and the ongoing maintenance, the total cost of ownership (in this case, our own taxpayer ownership) is dramatically lower.

But doesn't that defeat the purpose? I thought we wanted more work, more jobs, and more product purchased so as to stimulate the economy. That's true, but the simple fact is that if the $4.7 Billion doesn't all get eaten up in broadband, rest assured, they'll find other places to spend it.

If you'd like to get involved, learn more about the NTIA and the Broadband Grant Program Meetings.

Labels: Broadband, Economy, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access