WCAI Applauds Inclusion of Funding for Wireless Broadband in Economic Stimulus Bill

Congress has passed an economic stimulus bill, which includes funding for the delivery of wireless broadband to rural areas. WCAI applauds Congress for keeping in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill over $6 billion in grants for the expansion of broadband areas across America. Continued progress in the deployment and adoption of broadband technology is vital to ensuring that the United States remains competitive worldwide. As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband is essential to bringing innovation and helping reach the Obama Administration’s goal of achieving universal broadband connectivity. WCAI is particularly pleased that under the final Bill, commercial entities are clearly eligible for direct grants from NTIA. WCAI members stand ready to move forward with plans to bring wireless broadband to rural and underserved areas. Having direct access to grant funding will allow them to do so in a timely manner, helping create jobs fast, enable productivity, and jump-start our economy.

Senate Approves Grants for Wireless Broadband Deployment

The Senate today passed an economic stimulus bill, which includes $6.65 billion in grants for broadband deployment. WCAI is pleased to see funds approved for the delivery of wireless broadband to rural areas. As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, and at affordable prices, wireless broadband is essential to broadband connectivity, especially in rural areas. Many WCAI members serving rural and underserved areas would be in a position to implement their business plans more quickly and broadly with the support of the government funding. This would create new jobs, strengthen our economy and ensure that America remains competitive globally.