Big telcos may still influence broadband stimulus bonanza

While a number of major telecom operators supposedly sat out this round of broadband stimulus funding, presumably upset over the Network Neutrality strings attached, they still may have a hand in the outcome. They have negotiated an agreement with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Agriculture that will allow them to challenge projects by declaring they already serve those areas under consideration. Of course, they have to prove their claims, but without accurate mapping, their assertions might be difficult to disprove.