The promised database of first round broadband stimulus applications is now online and it reveals some interesting tidbits. All 2,200 applications are summarized in the database and can be searched by multiple categories including program type, keyword, and state. Program type categories include last mile, middle mile, public computer center, and sustainable broadband adoption.
A brief perusal of the database reveals some interesting applications. Here are a few early observations:
- Rural telco last mile applications appear to be heavily weighted towards FTTH
- There are a significant number of companies intending to use broadband wireless for last mile access, ranging from familiar names like DigitalBridge Communications to a wide range of unfamiliar start-ups like Flow Mobile
- EchoBlueRural Broadband LLC, a joint venture between WildBlue Communications and EchoStar applied for $530 million (grant and loan combination) to bring 10 Mbps satellite broadband availability
- Hughes Net wants over $500 million (grant and loan combination) to expand their satellite broadband offering
- AtContact Communications proposes using satellite services to reach all lower 48 states with middle mile connectivity to the tune of $286 million
- Alaska seems to be in serious need of middle mile broadband infrastructure because applications totaling more than $1.2 billion have been submitted for projects there
- Elauwit Community Enhancement Foundation of Columbia, SC wants $42 million to spread Wi-Fi to computer centers
- Mediacomm wants $581,000 to promote sustainable broadband adoption in Iowa
Much more to follow — stay tuned.
