Broadband industry group says stimulus rules go too far

USTelecom, which represents the biggest US telephone companies Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T, says new government guidelines to spend $4 billion to expand broadband access to underserved areas across the United States may go beyond current laws. The lobbying group is still analyzing requirements to provide loans and grants to applicants that can include state and local governments as well as non- and for-profit organizations. USTelecom President Walter McCormick says the rules may lead to uncertainty and even delay President Barack Obama's plans to revive the US economy with job creation, partly, through the telecommunications industry.