Broadband Funding: Yes, in Your Backyard

[Commentary] As technology grant applicants and broadband champions watch developments unfold on various fronts, there's a danger that frustration will drive people to "excuse-driven" broadband strategy: "We can't until...," "We won't unless...," "If they don't...." Look, folks, if people want broadband, they have to look in the mirror for the solutions to obtain it. Many communities know this already, but everyone needs to embrace this same reality. There isn't enough grant money to dent the broadband need, even if Universal Service Fund money shifts to broadband. And despite the Federal Communications Commission's and other agencies' best efforts, a range of formidable obstacles stands in the way of rural broadband, obstacles that the Feds are hard pressed to overcome.