Broadband
Stimulus, Multicom, and You
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Multicom
- 13,000 Products Under One Roof!Broadband Stimulus FAQ
Q: How much money of the Broadband Stimulus Bill was allocated to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS)?
A: Approximately $2.5 billion was allocated to RUS for broadband grants, loans, and loan guarantees.
Q: Can projects funded by RUS funds also be eligible for NTIA funds?
A: NO – Projects awarded by the RUS and NTIA CANNOT be the same.
Q: Is there a deadline by which the RUS and NTIA projects must be awarded?
A: YES – The $6.85 billion to be funded by the RUS and NTIA must be awarded by September 30, 2010. That said, there will be significant urgency behind getting these projects awarded as quickly as possible.
Q: Who is the NTIA and what is its role in the Broadband Stimulus Bill?
A: The National Telecommunications Information Agency (NTIA) was established in 1978 within the Department of Commerce and advises the President on telecommunications and information policy. As part of the Broadband Stimulus Bill, it will be awarding $4.35 billion in funding for grants to provide the "highest broadband speed possible to the greatest population in unserved and underserved areas." All grants must be awarded by September 30, 2010 and substantially complete within 2 years of award.
Q: Who is eligible for NTIA grants?
A: A wide variety of entities are eligible for NTIA grants. As long as service to the public interest can be demonstrated, grants are available to for-profit and non-profit entities, Native American tribes, and state and local governments.
Q: Were tax credits included as part of the Bill?
A: No – Although tax credits were a major part of the Senate's original proposal, there were dropped from the final version of this Bill.
Q: How will Multicom provide assistance to its customers in seeking funds from the Broadband Stimulus?
A: As a leading advanced broadband solutions provider to rural America, Multicom is following Broadband Stimulus developments closely. We are committed to sharing the latest information available on this bill with our customers and supporting them as they seek the available grants, loans, and loan guarantees.
The resources listed on the side of this page address the variety of broadband technologies available. As well, Multicom is providing a Reference Guide as a unified source for vital information for those involved in a Broadband Stimulus project. We invite you to return to this web page periodically to stay up-to-date on this major new catalyst to U.S. broadband deployment.
