Agencies Face Challenges with Broadband Initiatives

Washington, Nov. 13 – Following the influx of applications that requested nearly seven times the amount of available broadband funding provided by the Recovery Act, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Rural Utilities Service now have their hands full with many logistical challenges.

According to testimony from the Government Accountability Office, the NTIA and RUS “face scheduling, staffing and data challenges in evaluating applications and awarding funds” for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and the Broadband Initiatives Program. Together, the programs have been allocated $7.2 billion in Recovery Act funding — BTOP received $4.7 billion and BIP was allocated $2.5 billion.