US agencies are running about three months behind schedule on allocating funds from the first round of the $7.2bn broadband stimulus program, but the second round is already underway, with new rules.
The two key bodies entrusted with awarding the grants and loans are the NTIA (National Telecoms and Information Administration) and RUS (Rural Utilities Service). In round one, they acted together, but in round two, which has a similar total value of $4.8 billion, they will have separate rules. It is hoped this will streamline the process, which is expected to be oversubscribed like round one.
In round two, the NTIA will allocated $2.6 billion, focusing on infrastructure for the middle mile and community projects. The RUS will control $2.2 billion, mainly for last mile infrastructure proposals. It will also cover satellite-based submissions, though only for areas left unserved by terrestrial networks, and after other funds have been awarded.
The NTIA says its main areas of interest – and $2.35 billion of its new funds – will be “comprehensive community” projects, in particular “middle mile broadband projects that connect key community anchor institutions – such as libraries, hospitals, community colleges, universities, and public safety institutions”.
As Connected Planet.com points out, the separation will enable the two agencies to follow their traditional and tested methods, rather than spending time trying to agree on new, combined practices. First round applicants may face confusion though, over whether to wait for the result of their existing proposal, or bid again in round two (and if so, with which agency?) Applications are due by March 15 and winners will be announced by the end of September. A third round is also possible next year.
Meanwhile, the US FCC has set aside a plan that would have required broadcasters to give up some of their spectrum for wireless broadband use. Now, the FCC proposal will merely allow broadcasters to decide whether to sell their spectrum to the government, but they could also keep it for purposes such as HD or mobile broadcast, after the transition from analog to digital TV.
“Where we have landed is a scenario that establishes a voluntary marketplace mechanism so that broadcast TV stations have a choice in how they want to use their spectrum,” the FCC said. “That choice could include retaining all of it and continue to broadcast in HD with broadcast and mobile; relinquishing some of it, because there are many stations not using all of the bandwidth available to it; or in some cases stations making the decision to relinquish all of their spectrum.”