WiMax operators ask for $1.6B in broadband stimulus

Of the 1130 applications submitted to the federal government for last-mile broadband stimulus funds, more than a quarter were filed by WiMax operators looking to capitalize on the program to expand wireless access and mobile broadband services to underserved areas, according to an analysis by the WiMax Forum. While many of those applications were for rural projects, several of them came from familiar names looking to expand access in the big cities. Though the number of applications from wireless providers was large, the amounts each requested on average was relatively small. Of the $14.212 billion in last-mile funds requested, the 300 WiMax applications totaled $1.6 billion, according to the Forum. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the US Department of Agriculture's RUS fund have set aside a total of $4 billion in grant funds with an additional $3.2 billion available for loans. In total the government has received applications for $28 billion in funding for all broadband stimulus projects.