Broadband stimulus hopefuls get application advice: Hurry

The pressure of time might also, for example, lead the RUS to follow the lead of its partner in this effort, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and consider the contributions of states and other organizations that agree to match federal funds for certain projects, Cohen conjectured. “RUS is probably not able to do all the due diligence they’d normally like to do. Matching funds could become a sort of shorthand for that due diligence,” he said.

Likewise, though some have argued that mapping of existing broadband availability must precede funding awards, Cohen pointed out that mapping efforts are actually independent of the broadband stimulus process and need not forestall it, just as the FCC’s recently begun work on crafting a national broadband strategy is independent of broadband stimulus plans.

However, federal administrators hoping to act quickly must first resolve a long list of unanswered questions, such as the definition of terms like “unserved” and “underserved” areas, how broadband stimulus intersects with Universal Service Funds, and how to balance the stimulus act’s “buy American” provisions with international trade treaty obligations.

“They’re still working that out,” Cohen said.