Technology Policy Institute Study Misunderstands Purpose of Broadband Program

[Commentary] The Technology Policy Institute issued a report criticizing the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). Unfortunately, the report reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of that program and fails to recognize the program’s enormous benefit to community anchor institutions across the country.

The authors of the study describe the BTOP program as a “rural subsidy” program. In fact, the BTOP program is neither “rural” nor a “subsidy.” While the Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) administered by the Rural Utility Service (RUS) was focused on connecting rural residential consumers to “last mile” broadband, the principal purpose of the BTOP infrastructure program was to provide high-capacity “Middle Mile” broadband services to schools, libraries, health providers, community colleges, and other anchor institutions all across the country, not just in rural areas.

[John Windhausen is Executive Director of the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition]