Maximizing the stimulus funding

The first round of the stimulus funding announcements are out, and reading through the project descriptions one sees frequent reference to fiber based technologies, but very little of other technologies.

While it is good news that the stimulus funds are finally being allocated, the focus on fiber leads one to wonder if the monies are being used as efficiently as possible. Surely a combination of technologies, both wireline and wireless, would result in the most economical network. If we look at other countries deploying broadband networks to provide services in underserved areas, we find that fiber is only the dominant technology where local labor costs are so low that fiber installation is virtually free, or where the economy is controlled centrally and not driven by market forces to deliver the most economical solution...