Broadband stimulus: D-day arrives, criticism mounts

With applications for broadband stimulus funds due today, or Aug. 20, depending on whether applications are in paper or electronic form, some likely outcomes are that major communications service providers will have taken a pass on applying, and even most small, rural companies will do likewise.

The major providers have any number of objections, mostly related to strings attached to receipt of funds, it appears. Smaller providers in rural areas said the rules prevent them from applying. Others complain that the application process itself is too complex...