Broadband Stimulus Sets Aside $100 Million To Subsidize Satellite Services

A federal program set to begin this spring will set aside at least $100 million to bring satellite-based services to remote communities.

"This is especially meaningful because the government is acknowledging that satellites are a key part of the solution to bringing broadband to everyone," said Dean Manson, senior vice president and general counsel for Hughes Network Systems.

As part of the second phase of the broadband initiative, RUS announced plans Jan. 22 in the Federal Register for a program specifically targeted to satellites, a $100 million initiative to bring broadband to customers who lack access to any terrestrial broadband services. Applicants for that funding will be able to offer customers discounts of $750 on the satellite dishes and electronic components needed to receive satellite-based broadband in homes or small businesses. That $100 million budget also could be augmented with funding left over from other RUS broadband programs, the announcement said. RUS plans to issue a request for proposals with additional details on satellite broadband projects in April, May or June, said RUS spokesman Bart Kendrick.