Broadband Stimulus Lacks Bandwidth

The federal government's announcement of the first broadband stimulus awards is a terrific first step in extending the reach of broadband communications across the United States. However, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) need to pick up the pace in awarding broadband stimulus funds, and take additional steps to ensure program dollars are deployed with maximum efficiency and impact. My firm, PRTM, has worked with public and private organizations to plan for and implement successful broadband networks since the early days of broadband technologies and businesses. Based on hundreds of such projects worldwide, we see three critical gaps in the government's current approach 1) Lack of a Clear and Cohesive Broadband Strategy, 2) No Clear Criteria for Prioritizing and Funding Projects, and 3) High-Risk Approach to Ensuring Efficient and Effective Deployment.