WCAI Applauds Obama Administration for Releasing Broadband Stimulus Funds

Vice President Joe Biden today announced the availability of $4 billion in loans and grants to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities. This is the first round of the funding NTIA and RUS will disburse under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

On behalf of the wireless broadband industry, I applaud the Obama Administration for taking this critical step toward bringing broadband access to rural America. As the only platform that provides access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband is essential to achieving universal broadband connectivity, creating jobs and encouraging economic growth. WCAI members are eager to begin the broadband stimulus application process and get to work building a better America.

WCAI will hold a member-only webinar on July 8 to analyze the broadband stimulus NoFA released by the NTIA and the RUS today and brief the members on the next steps they need to take to apply for the broadband stimulus funds. For more information, WCAI members should contact Susan Polyakova at susan@wcai.com.

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.