Getting the broadband stimulus program right

[Commentary] Currently in the broadband stimulus program, the pressure of a Congressionally-imposed funding deadline is once again causing best practices for technology deployment to be sacrificed on the altar of political necessity. The potential damage, financial and otherwise, is huge.

Conversely, a viable solution is simple. The monumental bind we're in is that it's highly unlikely NTIA and RUS can push all of the Round 1 stimulus funds out the door by Sunday, February 28. However, all applications for Round 2 funding are due 15 days later. By the rules for Round 2, applicants' proposals will be rejected if they propose to build broadband in areas already funded. To use a Metro subway analogy to understand this problem's implications, it's not good to bring your train barreling into the station if you don't know if the previous train is still there or has safely pulled away. The Round 2 process is about to crash headlong into Round 1. Round 2 will become a tangled mess. If Congress' goal is to facilitate the quick delivery of broadband to stimulate economic recovery and lay a foundation for economic advancement, prepare to be disappointed. The simple solution is to extend the deadline for Round 2 applicants.