Reminder: Podcast Tomorrow
The monthly FreeUTOPIA podcast will air tomorrow from 4PM to 5PM on BlogTalkRadio. Our guest will be Chris Mitchell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a policy group based in Minnesota. Call in with your questions and comments at (347) 838-8025, join the show chat room, or just listen in on the show page.
UTOPIA Applications for Broadband Stimulus Rejected in Round 1
The NTIA has started sending out rejection notices to broadband stimulus applicants and has been updating its online database with hundreds of applicants that did not get approved in the first round. Among those are all three of UTOPIA’s applications. Despite rejection in Round 1, UTOPIA can still apply for Round 2 which will be less restrictive on application requirements.
That said, it’s entirely possible (and in my estimation, highly probable) that UTOPIA won’t get funding at all. BTOP seems to be focused on new projects rather than existing ones and is focusing on the most rural areas. If that’s the case, the SAA will be the only way to finance any future construction and participants will have to bear a higher cost.
(h/t: Stimulating Broadband)