Pickering, Free Press and OIC to Discuss Broadband Stimulus Programs

Monday, March 9
2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT

The three federal agencies charged with overseeing $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds will hold a joint public meeting on Tuesday, March 10. Prior to that meeting, former Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) will join Free Press and the Open Internet Coalition on a national conference call to outline ways to implement model broadband programs that promote the public interest and guide future technology policy.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, signed into law last month by President Barack Obama, allocates $4.7 billion to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for broadband adoption and deployment in "unserved," "underserved" and low-income communities; $2.5 billion to the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for rural broadband; and directs the Federal Communications Commission to develop a national broadband strategy.

The NTIA, FCC and RUS are expected to hold several public meetings as the agencies work to establish robust broadband grant programs. Monday's call will focus on the priorities, policies and procedures that should direct the grantmaking process.

Read Fress Press' Putting the Angels in the Details: A Roadmap for Broadband Stimulus Success: http://www.freepress.net/files/Angels_in_the_Details.pdf

Broadband meeting agenda: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/Agenda_090310.pdf