Lingering policy questions could impact broadband stimulus allocation

The US Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel of speakers Wednesday and the speakers contend that Federal regulators have some critical decisions to make in the coming weeks that could determine whether the $7.2 billion in stimulus funds designated for broadband will create the optimal number of jobs or be distributed wisely. The stimulus package includes $350 million for the creation of a broadband inventory map that will lay out in detail areas of the country that lack broadband access. Rob Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, said he has heard some in Washington suggest that the rest of the broadband money be withheld until the mapping exercise is complete -- something he says would significantly mute the stimulative impact of the money. "I really think we should not try to layer on a lot of reforms here," he said. "The perfect should not be the enemy of the good." Yet without accurate information about where broadband is already deployed, agencies run the risk of distributing money inefficiently or to fraudulent programs, said Raquel Noriega, director of strategic partnerships for ConnectedNation, a nonprofit that promotes broadband adoption.