Broadband stimulus: Ditch 10-year clause, industry begs

Telecom industry players across the board want the federal government to relax the restrictions on sales of assets paid for with broadband stimulus grant money. That was the word from companies and associations in public comments recommending how to change the rules for the second stage of funding, to be conducted by the National Telecommunications and Industry Association (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Under the yet-to-be-awarded first round, broadband facilities built with government money cannot be leased or sold unless the feds say it’s OK – and even then, that can’t happen for at least 10 years. Plus, the buyer or renter must agree to fulfill terms laid out in the stimulus requirements, and the transaction must be part of the original funds application and project proposal...