August 19, 2010

Fed Announces $1.8 Billion in Broadband Stimulus

Vice President Biden announced 94 Recovery Act investments in broadband projects within 37 states, an investment totaling $1.8 billion. The projects are part of a program - administered by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) - to expand broadband access and adoption across the country.
 
The projects includes 66 grants awarded by the Commerce Department for projects to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect community anchor institutions to broadband, create and upgrade public computer centers, and encourage the sustainable adoption of broadband service.

It also includes 28 awards from USDA for broadband infrastructure and satellite projects that will provide rural residents in 16 states and Native American tribal areas access to improved service.

This round of funding included grants to a wider range of providers. For example, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative received $10 million to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in eastern Virginia. And California Broadband Cooperative was awarded $81.1 million to offer affordable middle-mile broadband service in California and Nevada.

Motorola received a $50.6 million award, with nearly $21.9 million in matching contributions, to allow public safety entities in the San Francisco area to deploy an interoperable wireless public safety broadband network.

A complete list of these latest projects receiving funding can be accessed through this press release.