Michael's Insight: Changes in store for federal broadband stimulus

Yesterday, the federal agencies responsible for the government's broadband stimulus dollars announced a change in the previously announced process for awarding those dollars to build broadband infrastructure in areas of the country that currently don't have access to broadband. Earlier this year, after Congress passed the economic stimulus bill, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service planned three different award periods.

Both agencies are currently reviewing applications from providers for the first set of awards. Yesterday, the agencies put out a press release that indicates they are merging the second and third award periods into a final, single award period...