It appears as if the big broadband providers (AT&T, Verizon and Comcast) are not interested in stimulus funding. Here are the reasons as given by the Wall Street Journal:
Their reasons are varied. All three say they are flush with cash, enough to upgrade and expand their broadband networks on their own. Some say taking money could draw unwanted scrutiny of business practices and compensation, as seen with automakers and banks that have taken government bailouts. And privately, some companies are griping about conditions attached to the money, including a net-neutrality rule that they say would prevent them from managing traffic on their networks in the way they want.
I don’t think this is much of a shock. I think the writing was on the wall for low big provider participation before the NOFA even came out. In May I wrote about an article that talked about the new rural super providers. I think it will be interesting to see how many of those guys go for stimulus funding.
Also I think we have to ask why the providers aren’t going for the money. Is it the scrutiny? If so – maybe their businesses are worth a look from the feds regardless of funding. Is it because the rules are contrary to good business practices? Well then maybe we have to look into who and how the rules were made.
The stimulus funding should be a way for providers and communities to work together. Yet the big guys aren’t going for it. And I know some of the smaller providers who had been planning on applying were also discouraged but the rules – or rather the definitions of underserved/unserved have handicapped their plans. Maybe it takes us back to the new rural super providers.
It will be interesting to see who does apply.
I think you can see who’s already started an application on the Broadband USA website.
I don’t see such a list – though I did find lists of those who attended the stimulus workshops earlier this summer: http://www.broadbandusa.gov/workshop.htm
Maybe I’m just not looking in the right place.
I recently wrote about this – more particularly, reminding people that the stimulus was not targeted at major carriers. Major carriers simply don’t see a business plan in these areas. I don’t understand why it is so hard to understand that rural areas don’t offer the returns for private companies to provide a socially optimum level of broadband.
Grants aren’t going to do it – especially when they encourage last decades’ technology. I also found this article illuminating – Media Helps Carriers Spread Broadband Stimulus FUD