The next steps in US broadband

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has outlined the grants process for the first round of broadband grants authorized under the US stimulus package, amounting to $4 billion. Although the speed thresholds have been set very low and the stimulus in general is weighted towards rural areas, the guidelines ultimately represent an important step in the right direction.

When it comes to broadband access, it has been well-documented that the US has gone from leading to lagging over the past decade. Indeed, according to rankings published last year, the US has dropped to 15th among OECD countries, despite a strong start in the 1990s. Subsequent studies and advocates have repeatedly pointed out that this has severely impacted economic and social development, particularly among less-connected rural areas which struggle to attract businesses and citizens...