The Scoop on NARUC: From Washington to Main Street, Broadband Questions Remain

One striking sentiment dominated this week's convention of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners: The federal government remains on nearly as steep a learning curve on crafting the future of broadband as many state agencies, and the best work ahead will likely get done when public and private concerns team up. "Of course more needs to be done, and they're still learning [in Washington] how to reliably and effectively get the funds out," said David Svanda of Svanda Consulting in Clarksville, Md., and a past president of NARUC. "It's an ongoing learning process, and they clearly have their feelers out to learn more," said Svanda. "I think they'll take very seriously what they hear here. You couldn't have two better people on the case." By "they," Svanda meant Larry Strickling, of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and Jonathan Adelstein, of the Rural Utility Service.