Panel: Open Networx to states and localities to expand broadband use

The General Services Administration should open its massive Networx telecommunications contract to state and local governments to encourage the expansion of broadband into rural and other underserved areas, a Federal Communications Commission panel said on Feb 18.

The proposal, included in the initial recommendations for the national broadband plan, would allow other jurisdictions access to the lower process on telecommunications products and services that the federal government negotiated when awarding the Networx contracts, according to officials. "We believe it is a win-win for the country," said Eugene Huang, government operations director for the National Broadband Task Force. "For state and local governments, this would be an additional option for them to consider when they go out and negotiate for their own telecom services." GSA can open Networx to state and local governments only if Congress allows it. In 2003, the agency was allowed to offer its Schedule 70, off of which all information technology products and services are sold, to buyers outside the federal government.