NTIA and RUS Outline Second Round of Broadband Stimulus Bidding

Two organizations will solicit bids separately

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/15/2010 4:38:12 PM

The National Telecommunications & Information Association and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service have announced the second round of bidding--and in RUS' case, a third round--for the balance of broadband stimulus funding, even before it has announced most of the winners of the first round of bidding.

And unlike the first round, the two will solicit bids separately.

NTIA and RUS said Friday the additional $4.8 billion would be handed out under new rules that will make it easier to apply for the money, and better target it where it is needed.

The program, part of the administration's stimulus package, was criticized by participants and legislators for rules they said made it difficult to apply.

NTIA and the Ag Department's Rural Utilities Service issued separate notices of fund availability (NOFAs) that they said reflected their "distinct objectives."  The RUS money, as its name suggests, goes to rural areas for broadband deployment and adoption, while NTIA's money can go to urban areas as well. NTIA also can use its money to seed loans, while NTIA's is grant money.

NTIA's second round of money is $2.6 billion, of which $2.35 billion will go to infrastructure, $150 million to public computer centers and $100 million to adoption programs.

RUS's NOFA has $2.2 billion, and it says it will actually open a third funding window for satellite service grants.

RUS will focus on so-called last-mile projects that reach homes and businesses.

The pair also said they would be launching a series of workshops on its application process to help applicants navigate the new rules.

The application window opens Feb. 16 and closes March 15.