V.P. Biden to Announce Stimulus Funding for Broadband Internet Projects
EmailABC News' Karen Travers reports:
Today, Vice President Biden will travel to Georgia to announce more than $2 billion in Recovery Act grants and loans to bring broadband Internet services to communities that currently do not have it.
The vice president will be in Dawsonville, Ga., to announce an initial investment of $182 million for 18 broadband projects over 17 states. The government funding has been matched by $46 million in private funding. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack also will make visits to communities that will receive funding for these projects. Locke will visit the University of Maine in Orono today and next Tuesday, Vilsack will travel to Ohio.
Jared Bernstein, chief economic adviser to the vice president, on Thursday emphasized the impact this funding will have on job creation and growth, noting that the broadband project will create jobs for technology specialists who will connect the network, construction workers and local businesses that will benefit from the broadband technology and increase production and expand to the global marketplace.
Bernstein said that this is not just about Internet access, but rather it will allow communities to make progress on modernizing the electrical grid, managing electronic medical records and developing high-speed rail.
Biden will make the announcement at Impulse Manufacturing, a precision metal fabrication company in Dawsonville. The city is in a region in northern Georgia that will receive a $33 million broadband award for the North Georgia Network Cooperative, Inc.
The money will go to a project that is expected to benefit an eight-county area that has a population of more than 334,000 and will pass through 146 county government facilities, 82 public schools, seven technical institutions, colleges and universities and four hospitals.
These grants and loans are part of an overall $7.2 billion Recovery Act investment to bring broadband access to underserved communities — $4.7 billion through the Commerce Department and $2.5 billion through the Department of Agriculture.
The White House outlined four types of awards being made today:
Middle Mile Awards – Build and improve connections to communities lacking sufficient broadband access.
Last Mile Awards – Connect end users like homes, hospitals and schools to their community’s broadband infrastructure (the middle mile).
Public Computing – Expand computer center capacity for public use in libraries, community colleges and other public venues.
Sustainable Adoption – Fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand.
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Gee. Ensuring the poor and the downtrodden with internet service. What a humanitarian that Biden is. How about food? How about a job? You better believe there’s an alterior motive going on here. Biden…..I accuse you of being an enemy to the Constitution, on many counts.
Posted by: william getty | December 17, 2009, 7:06 am 7:06 am
Now we have Joe Biden throwing billions arounad. When will it end? Half a trillion here 100 billion there. We are broke and these people do not get it. Our kids will literally want to kill us when they realize what these idiots have done to this country. Those of who run small businesses might as well close the doors. We can not possibly pay for any of this, and printing phony money will only serve to destroy the last value of our currency.
Posted by: Gene Colburn | December 17, 2009, 7:12 am 7:12 am
So, now our national debt is above the official debt limit. Obama signs yet another bill including 1000′s of pet projects he promised to end resulting in billions extra spending (cause you know…what’s a few billion when you’re blowing over a trillion dollars) and this is how they are going to spend our money. God help us, we have 3 more years of this person as President.
Posted by: mikemcdon321 | December 17, 2009, 7:54 am 7:54 am
I really don’t understand this. We are trillions in debt and we can’t allow private enterprise to bring broadband to rural communities based on market demand? Oh wait! Maybe there is a behind the scenes deal going on here?
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 8:16 am 8:16 am
The Democrats are completely out of control,spending money they do not have. The Dems must think we are running a huge surplus and they can’t spend the money fast enough to keep it from piling up.
2010 elections will bring them back to reality.
Posted by: Johnny L | December 17, 2009, 8:26 am 8:26 am
I live in a rural area where the only broadband access is via satellite services. Cost more per month than what people with DSL or cable access pay for landline, TV, cell phone, and internet COMBINED.
On top of that, there are some things you can do via internet with DSL or cable that you can’t with satellite, such as VOIP, or ‘might’ work with great deal of difficulty such as VPN.
Since I telecommute, both are problems for me because VOIP is lot cheaper and VPN is required to remotely access my employer’s systems and servers.
Having said all that, I won’t mind waiting for awhile for better access because THERE ARE MORE CRITICAL ISSUES NEEDING THE MONEY!
Now if I, someone who can actually benefit from this type of spending, can understand that, why the heck can’t the federal government?
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 8:36 am 8:36 am
I really don’t understand this. We are trillions in debt and we can’t allow private enterprise to bring broadband to rural communities based on market demand? –posted by LongT
————–
Private enterprise isn’t all that motivated because of market demand.
For those of us living in the country, there simply aren’t enough customers to support the massive cost in improving aging phone lines. I’ve been begging AT&T to do something for YEARS. All I get are ‘maybes’ and ‘sometime soon’.
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am
Just think, while ABC hasn’t decided to make it a front page story yet. With our debt growing at a record pace Clinton has decided to announce in Copenhagen that the US is ready to start handing over 100 Billion dollars a year in climate financing for poor countries. So how much longer before the Democrats start passing laws mandating that we just start handing over our entire paychecks so they can spend it for us?
Posted by: mikemcdon321 | December 17, 2009, 8:43 am 8:43 am
Democrats start passing laws mandating that we just start handing over our entire paychecks so they can spend it for us?
———-
Hold on! You mean you don’t already do that? ;-)
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 8:50 am 8:50 am
I WANT A PONY!
Posted by: The Audacity of Copenhagen | December 17, 2009, 8:54 am 8:54 am
malcat – LOL…not yet but alot of it is going their way. Michigan is talking about raising taxes again since our last tax increase didn’t create the revenue our local Dem claimed it would.
Posted by: mikemcdon321 | December 17, 2009, 8:55 am 8:55 am
malcat; I empathize with your dilemma of limited access, but if there were enough ‘market demand’ private enterprise would beat a path to your door. That leaves you with two choices; bear with it until that happens, if ever, or move closer to the grid. Personally, I’m skeptical this expenditure is wise. I think you are too.
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 9:03 am 9:03 am
malcat; I empathize with your dilemma of limited access, but if there were enough ‘market demand’ private enterprise would beat a path to your door. That leaves you with two choices; bear with it until that happens, if ever, or move closer to the grid. Personally, I’m skeptical this expenditure is wise. I think you are too
——
LongT, if you read my earlier post at 8:36a, you will see that I have no problem with waiting. I quite agree that there are far more important ways to spend tax money right now.
I was just explaining why private enterprise isn’t interested.
I would love to have DSL or cable. My expenses to telecommute are 3x that of my co-workers. And telecommuting wasn’t our idea, our employer all but kicked us out the door to reduce their own costs. And they won’t reimburse me for mine.
My 2009 income tax return is going to be interesting!
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 9:14 am 9:14 am
malcat; Interesting situation you are in. Never have experienced it. Good luck with that 2009 return. ;>)
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
malcat; Maybe you could pull a Timmy? Wink wink!
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am
LongT, thanks for the good wishes. I think I’ll pass on the Timmy though. I would get the book thrown at me, and I look ghastly in a jumpsuit!
My supervisor is working part time for H&R Block this tax season. She’s telecommuting also. I plan to pick her brain and pay her in Snickers.
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 10:10 am 10:10 am
Malcat,
Have you tried a MIFI unit? Not sure what the coverage maps are for each one but I had a friend who drove across some barren areas of the US and he was able to get MIFI coverage for the most part.
In my area we have only cable modem and DSL but Verizon’s Fiber is supposed to come ‘soon’.
Posted by: Denbo | December 17, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am
It sound strange to me the VP flies to Georgia using an air force jet , with a crew of secret service, and make an announcement of two billion dollar funding and loan to broad band internet community in a metal fabrication manufacturing plant, which has nothing to broad band industry. Can he make such announcement in DC ?
Posted by: austin | December 17, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am
these elite dems just dont get it.
Posted by: catman | December 17, 2009, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
Denbo,
Thanks for the suggestion, but that’s not doable for me either. Signal strength is abysmal; it can’t handle the data flow.
I love where I live but it’s a pain when it comes to technology.
My company’s tech people are working to modify our VPN so it will talk to my satellite ISP. I have until February to resolve or may have to move back to the office. The major issue is confidentiality. I’m a medical data analyst assigned to a government health contract. Gotta love that HIPPA!
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
malcat | Dec 17, 2009 8:36:13 AM posted “THERE ARE MORE CRITICAL ISSUES NEEDING THE MONEY!”
since you are a medical data analyst assigned to a government health contract – I’m curious to understand where you believe there are “more critical issues” needing money?
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
since you are a medical data analyst assigned to a government health contract – I’m curious to understand where you believe there are “more critical issues” needing money?
————–
Improving status of Medicare, increasing funding to Medicaid to help the increased number of people needing that help even at current income limitations, and getting a decent health insurance reform bill passed that will actually do what it is supposed to do without bankrupting the country.
And that’s just to start.
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
CenterOne; How about just getting more fiscally frugal/responsible in case unforseen funding is needed later? This thing smacks of political insider payback. And I’m not even a conspiracist. Why would the government even consider this? Subsidies or tax incentives to private companies are one thing. What the heck is this all about?
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
More waste, in the name of stimulus?????
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | December 17, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
LongT | Dec 17, 2009 1:54:32 PM posted “What the heck is this all about?”
I work for a software company and here’s my take: phones and computers are merging – In Korea it’s already called Ultra Broadband convergence Network (UBcN).
According to Korea IT Times, the Korean Communications Commission (KCC) is investing approximately $3.4 billion over the next 5 yrs to make their Internet speed 10 times faster.
Korea’s goal is to create the world’s best converged infrastructure of wired, wireless and broadcasting systems with a guaranteed speed of 1 Gbps (for wired networks) and 10 Mbps (for wireless networks).
UBcN will provide “converged” phone calls, TV, online shopping, and interactive TV finance + interactive services like tutoring, medical care, civil affairs solutions, and e-commerce.
The KCC projects it will create 120,000 jobs + value-added businesses of 17.7 trillion won + the production of another 48.5 trillion won for the UBcN industry.
This part I find interesting: Korea plans to annually examine the UBcN investment performance conditions of broadcast and telecommunication companies, and also manage a long-term development plan in order to tweak development plans and pick out fast moving new business models.
United States ranked 15th out of 30 countries for broadband penetration at the end of 2007.
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Wow, pork spending for “broadband” in places that already have access to broadband.
Did you note the “government” and “school” references? This is just more kickbacks to supporters under the guise of “broadband” access. Gore pulled the same stunts (which he would later have the gall to call “creating the Internet”).
We are not that stupid! All of these places have broadband access through cable, DSL and/or satellite service. Anyone who doesn’t understand that these projects are just political kickbacks and vote buying is a sucker.
Posted by: Reality Hammer | December 17, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
I do not understand why this is not a private business enterprise if it is market driven?..Who will get the monthly income from this investment?
Posted by: stormerF2 | December 17, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
The reality is everyone already does have access to broadband.
Its been out for 10 years!
Its called Satellite…
I wish these idiots would at least do a little research before they waste my tax dollars
Posted by: TBOregon | December 17, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
CenterOne; OK, sounds like you know more about it than I do. I guess some of us have to simply go on faith this is worthwhile? I’m still wary considering our full speed ahead government spending tendencies.
Posted by: LongT | December 17, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Posted by: TBOregon | Dec 17, 2009 3:04:05 PM posted “Its called Satellite….”
Correct, satellite access is generally available anywhere ! But there’s a problem:
Satellites are in a static position to maintain connections to transmitters on Earth that use large centralized antennas to send their signals. The huge distances the signals must travel back and forth from a low orbit adversely affect the speed.
For example, every time I click on a web site, the signal is sent from my computer, to my ISPs hub, then into orbital space and back – typical connection speeds can average around 500 Kbps.
So if the US plans to build an infrastructure that could catch up with Korea’s Ultra Broadband convergence Network, we’d need wired networks at 1 Gbps or wireless networks at 10 Mbps.
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
Great news folks !! I just looked on the “green jobs” website for Philly and guess what??? ACORN is hiring….and guess what??? It’s part of the “stimulus”…
whew! I was really scared we were going to lose this precious resouce. ACORN and Biden….perfect !!!
and tierra: I can’t give you a link on this site because this comment service won’t allow…so, since I know how important it is to you that I provide you the benefit of my research I’d suggest you google…”philadelphia green jobs” then click on the positions available list.
It’s around 5th or 6th on the list and provides a long descriptin of the job, which is basically knocking on doors for the democratic party. Huh, that doesn’t seem green to me but , hey I’m just a stupid conservative right?
I’m sure you know much better where our money should go…..
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 17, 2009, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
There’s one problem with leaving it up to the private sector to build the Infrastructure. If 100 years ago it were left up to private companies to build all the roads and highways we would would have to pay to pass every stop light and turn every corner, not to mention the congestion at every toll booth, that is why it was left up to the government to do.
Posted by: iSlate | December 17, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Posted by: mjishernameo | Dec 17, 2009 4:23:01 PM
The 5th position listed is “Manufacturing Engineer” and the 6th is “ITS Sr. Developer”.
Neither of those sound anything like what you are describing. Sorry, you’ve convinced me of nothing.
Posted by: tierra | December 17, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
CenterOne: Can you give me any advice on how to manage VPN over satellite?
I know I have to have a static address; that’s required by our contract with our customer, and is a security issue for the corporation over-all.
I can do that part by upgrading ISP plan and paying extra for the static, but the ISP provider (Hughes.net) still is giving me some very wishy-washy responses when I flat ask them if VPN will work at least to provide access to shared servers.
I’m happy with my current plan for personal use. I don’t want to get locked into a 2-yr contract that costs me $25 MORE a month if the darn thing doesn’t work for telecommuting.
GGRRRRR
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
27th down from the top of the page if you search newest to oldest…
my post disappeared with the entire job description
Posted by: mjishernameo | December 17, 2009, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
LongT | Dec 17, 2009 3:06:26 PM posted: “I’m still wary considering our full speed ahead government spending tendencies.”
Even with inevitable government fraud and waste and screwups, I am ever optimistic about the long term power of markets to evolve, sometimes with the help of a government kick start.
For example: the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Now I’m not a Great Depression historian, but I suspect we also had fraud, waste and screwups back in 1933 when the Tennessee Valley was ruined – stripped, depleted, and dirt poor. At first New Deal government money was used to develop fertilizers, teach farmers how to improve crop yields, replant forests, and improve habitats.
Meanwhile, money was also used to build TVA damns, and for the first time the region had electricity to attract new businesses and jobs. During WWII, the TVA dams helped build munitions. By the 1960s electric rates were some of the lowest in the US.
Today the TVA has evolved past federal funding – all of its programs for environmental and economic development are funded through power sales and utility bonds.
Similarly, imo, the impact of this broadband funding will be to build jobs now + infrastructure for new technology down the road – there are revolutionary changes on the horizon: Ultra Broadband required for merging phones and computers. We’ll look back on today as if we were using Pay Phones.
And this funding also provides a critical side benefit – education, one of my major soapboxes – without improved academic achievement, the US will continue to slide behind in a global economy.
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Posted by: malcat | Dec 17, 2009 4:47:06 PM posted “VPN over satellite?”
You may benefit from tweaking your VPN connection using a piece of hardware that provides “selective layer encryption”, supposedly faster performance over a satellite connection.
Check out something like VSAT Systems – interesting white papers from these guys covers underlying problems. New technology is never a cheap date. Here at my office we call it “bleeding edge”. Good luck!
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
CenterOne, you have managed to convince me that this plan is not ALL bad. And education is also top priority for me.
I could go all the way behind this if I could be confident that the money will be tightly controlled. But my skepticism is still running rampant on that score.
All but the tiniest hamlets in the US have cable, and most if not all of them offer DSL. Satellite TV services are available in even more spots. We have DirecTV. It’s our phones lines that are the roadblock.
I see people like me being the predominant beneficiaries of this money, and I think we are too far spread to accomplish that much for us.
Two billion sounds like a lot of money, but the cost of running those lines out here in the country is HUGE. Just ask AT&T after they’ve restored service in my state after 2 severe ice storms in the last few years. I wish they had replaced lines then!!
I would say on the 10-15 miles of roadway beyond town (where there is cable and DSL both) out and about my farm there are maybe 20 houses and 3-4 businesses that would be able to switch from satellite to DSL/cable if phone lines were improved.
We would hopefully get better/faster service at some reduction in cost, but I still think of better ways to spend that money right now.
It’s not that the idea is bad; it’s the timing. Like I said, would love to have it, but I’m trying hard not to be selfish. ;-{
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
and how is this supposed to stimulate the economy??
Posted by: realman1963 | December 17, 2009, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
CenterOne, thanks for the advice. I’m not sure if my tech guys know about your suggestions, but they will tomorrow when they get my email with your comments!
Drives me nuts! They all but kicked me out of the office building by closing down floors, but can’t get their act together so I can be productive without violating a multitude of state and federal privacy laws.
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Its called Satellite…
posted by TBOregon
—-
I have satellite ISP broadband. My current plan is >$70 a month just for the internet connection.
I also pay $50+ a month for landline because cellular doesn’t work where I am. I can’t use VOIP which would be cheaper because it doesn’t work with satellite internet. I have to have cellular also; that’s another $50 per month.
My sister gets all of those for $50 a month because she has DSL.
I telecommute from home to office 5 days a week. I currently am running on a reduced-access because I can’t use VPN. I have to have VPN because of confidentiality and security issues. I’m going to have to pay another $25 a month with the POSSIBILITY I will have VPN.
Satellite is broadband, but it’s broadband with SEVERE limitations.
Posted by: malcat | December 17, 2009, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
“Whoa… Whoa… hold it there Joe!”
All that money going into RED states? And, the bigger question, “to put an internet grid in?”
“Joe, that’s republican country, before you start putting in that grid, you’re going to have to teach them what a computer is!” …. LOL
Posted by: GeorgieBushie | December 17, 2009, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
realman1963 | Dec 17, 2009 5:49:23 PM posted “and how is this supposed to stimulate the economy??”
Keep in mind that government funding is being matched with Millions in private funding. Not all this spending targets tiny hamlets. Money is also used to update hospitals, schools, libraries, community colleges, and fund innovation. Businesses involved with these projects have a vested long term interest in making it work.
I’ll never forget sitting in the office of our Silicon Valley patent attorney during the 90s Dotcom boom. The partners were discussing how to legally protect their firm after taking early internet companies public – knowing full well many of these companies were risky with no tangible assets for the investors. Lots of little old ladies’ pension funds were lost to IPO shiny red Ferraris. The government doesn’t have the corner on wasting or misusing money – imo, it’s part of a growth process.
I started working in the computer industry before PCs existed. Proprietary computers used punched paper tape to store data. The internet was decades away. Looking back – most companies I worked with – from Fortune 500 divisions to international firms – no longer even exist. Along the way shareholders lost money, a few people got rich, but jobs were created, taxes paid, and most of the sweat equity was absorbed into the layers of new technology that brought us to where we are today.
That’s not to say we taxpayers, just like shareholders, shouldn’t demand oversight and howl when our hard earned dollars are misspent. But I see this round of government spending as U.S. Venture Capital – as with every investment, not every project will be perfect, and some money will be wasted. But in the end I’m convinced the effort will help our country move into the a competitive global future.
Posted by: CenterOne | December 17, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
The US is so pitifully behind in broadband because of the involvement of the private sector. This is another fine example of how neoliberal economic philosophy has provided an epic fail.
Posted by: Flash Override | December 17, 2009, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
Flash Override Said: “The US is so pitifully behind in broadband because of the involvement of the private sector. This is another fine example of how neoliberal economic philosophy has provided an epic fail.”
======================================
LOL … be careful now Flash, some of the right-whiners may too easily confuse those terms “neoliberal economics” with “political liberalism”. They may start complaining about “those neoliberals”, not knowing that they’re referring to themselves.
You know how shallow some of them can be, e.g., “birthers”, etc. Talking about neoliberal economics is WAY above their level.
Posted by: GeorgieBushie | December 17, 2009, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
LOL Georgebushie.
Imagine their surprise when the self-proclaimed conservatives and libertarians wake up and find out they are actually neoliberals!
Posted by: Flash Override | December 18, 2009, 6:31 am 6:31 am
I want to know which 17 stats are going to profit. I live in TN and our phone company is giving us every excuse in the world why the can’t give us DSL. We have been begging for over 3 years. Is there a page where you can sign up for the stimulus money to come to our neighbor hood??? In my case we live between 2 mountains there is no cble and Satellite will not work. So I am all for the plan. But how do we know people like us get it and it is not for those that are favor and in the government’s pocket??
Posted by: Odette | December 20, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Satellite, are you kidding. 1000ms delay at least and would never work when its raining or snowing and $80 for comparable speeds to dsl. That’s almost like dialup for what you get. The USA is WAY behind and it’ll never change.
Posted by: Matt | December 23, 2009, 1:06 am 1:06 am
Access to the internet is not a right or a need. How about we feed people who are starving!
Posted by: ssn676 | November 28, 2010, 12:04 am 12:04 am