RUS plans satellite stimulus round

In an unprecedented move, the Rural Utilities Service, which traditionally has funded fixed telephone and wireless network deployments in rural America, is preparing a request for proposals related to satellite broadband. The RFP is not expected before Feb. 15, 2010.

RUS executives have indicated the satellite program might allocate $100 million, possibly more, exclusively for extending end user access to satellite broadband services, said Dean Manson, Hughes Network Systems (News - Alert) SVP and general counsel...