broadband stimulus updates

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February 2011 Headlines

Wisconsin Becomes First State to Turn Back A Broadband Stimulus Award

Feb 15, 2011

As reported this morning by The Milwaukee Journal Standard, the Department of Administration (DOA) of the State of Wisconsin is turning back a $23 million broadband stimulus grant to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

First State Turn Back - This is the first time in the history of the $7.2 billion program of the Obama Administration that a state has turned back a broad- band stimulus grant or loan under the federal initiative.

House Committee to hold broadband stimulus oversight hearing

Feb 7, 2011

The House Energy & Commerce Committee's Communications Subcommittee will hold a hearing Feb. 10 to discuss the billions in broadband stimulus money doled out by the departments of commerce and agriculture.

Republicans in control of Congress have voiced concern regarding how the money was spent and how the agencies protected those investments from waste, fraud and abuse. In advance of the hearing, Republicans plan to circulate draft legislation designed to “increase accountability” for the stimulus spending and “return unused or reclaimed broadband stimulus funds to the U.S. Treasury.”

Broadband money starts flowing to create 'culture of use'

Feb 7, 2011

Every week, at least once and often more, about 30 kids in several western Minnesota schools sit down at camera-equipped computers, put on headphones and launch into individual speech therapy lessons.

Miles away, a therapist talks to them and shows them written words or phrases on their computers, then watches how they move their lips and tongues as they pronounce words. Because the therapist doesn't have to travel, schedules are more flexible and school districts save money. And the students may even learn faster than they would with face-to-face sessions.

Your stimulus dollars at work.

Follow Obama's lead on wireless

Feb 7, 2011

IN his January 25 State of the Union address, US President Barack Obama called for making fast internet access available to 98 per cent of American households. At first blush, it might sound to Australians like the President is imitating Labor's National Broadband Network, which promises a fibre connection to 93 per cent of Australian premises. In reality, though, there are profound differences between the Obama administration's broadband plan and the controversial NBN.

Stimulus Funds Help Wire Rural Homes for Internet

January 29, 2011

Bolstered by billions in federal stimulus money, an effort is under way around the country to expand broadband Internet access to rural areas. The ambitious 21st-century infrastructure project parallels the New Deal electrification of the nation's hinterlands in the 1930s and 1940s.

Then, it was power to the people - for farm equipment and living-room lamps, cow-milking machines and kitchen appliances. Now, it's online access - to YouTube and digital downloads, to videoconferencing and Facebook, to eBay and digital downloads.