TIA Asks NTIA, RUS To Focus On Last-Mile Projects, Adoption Efforts

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration and Rural Utilities Service are getting plenty of advice on how to improve its second, and final, round of broadband stimulus funding. The Telecommunications Industry Association, for example, filed comments Monday asking them both to focus on last-mile projects (getting broadband to more folks) and adoption efforts (getting those with access to sign up). Joining a growing chorus, the group also said that the program should allow any rural areas to get money. One criticism leveled by powerful members of Congress is of the definition of rural in the first round, which excluded anybody within 50 miles of an urban area. TIA also asked for clarification of the rules of the road, also echoing a general criticism of the program.