Network World is reporting on how billions of dollars in grants from the broadband stimulus will be distributed. A government agency called “The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration” is charged with distributing part of the $7.2 billion that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The NTIA is asking for volunteers to help assess grants and submit suggestions to the NTIA board for those programs that are qualified and deserving of funding. It raises questions on the nature of these volunteers and the qualifications of those individuals on the interpretation of a grant proposal. The NTIA call for volunteers document can be found here Broadband USA.
Proponents of the broadband stimulus herald it as a great investment into the economic development of rural areas of the country and create opportunity. Large swaths of the country have either limited or no broadband access. Maturing web technologies that rely on broadband for streaming applications, SaaS, and on demand media are opening new economic opportunities and developing emerging markets.
The question on how billions are distributed to shovel ready projects remains obscure. Allowing the influence of billions to “qualified” volunteers from the broadband industry without a conflict of interest is something that will hopefully be addressed as this program moves forward. Until then, the government needs the help of citizens to figure out who gets what, check it out.
Danny Kim
WBS Connect
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