How to Spend NTIA's BTOP Billions On Deployment

[Commentary] A look at how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration should spend approximately $4 billion in Recovery Act funds earmarked for broadband deployment. 1) Set aside $1 billion for best-of-breed testbed projects selected based on the level of connectivity being deployed, the number of unserved homes getting connected, the amount of local buy-in, and the potential for these models to be scalable if successful. 2) A second $1 billion should be focused on projects that can get large numbers of unserved homes online as quickly as possible. 3) Devote $ 2 billion to start wiring and interconnecting schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities with fiber.