Was broadband stimulus really delayed? Perception may be reality

A recent report from the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA), which triggered speculation that the federal broadband stimulus program has been delayed, is open to interpretation. But whether the schedule provided by the NTIA this month represents a delay or simply a clarification, it could drive service providers that hoped to obtain funds to push out their deployment plans even further than might be expected. Craig Settles, president of consulting firm Successful.com, points out a December award date is problematic for several reasons. "The practical impact is that if you have plans queued up and if you don't start in the next couple of months in New England or the Midwest, nothing will start until April of the following year," said Settles. "No one is digging up trenches in January in Minnesota." And for those who are not successful in their funding bids, a December decision point could complicate the ability to find other sources of funding. "If you don't get a grant, it's kind of late to put costs into the city budget," he said.