[Satellite News 08-14-09] The first funding window for $7.2 billion in U.S. broadband stimulus funding outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act closes Aug 14.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which are overseeing the funding, have been accepting proposals since July 14.
    Several satellite companies have been pursuing government funding opportunities. Hughes spokesman Arunas Slekys told Satellite News that his company is satisfied with its efforts to work with U.S. officials. “We’re very comfortable with the progress and open communication we’ve had over broadband funding. There has been a lot of productive dialog on how satellite can contribute to the stimulus efforts and we look forward to seeing some results,” said Slekys.
    Hughes has been in talks with sever U.S. congress members, particularly with Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), whose office is located in nearby Rockville. In March, Hughes appointed Dean Manson, its senior vice president and general counsel to represent the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) on a panel held by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Manson joined representatives from the Rural Cellular Association (RCA), National Rural Electric Cooperatives (NRECA), Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telephone Companies (OPASTCO) and the Chickasaw Indian Nation to discuss the benefits of using satellite to connect rural areas.
    “Bringing broadband to consumers and small businesses that are not adequately served has been the core mission of the broadband satellite industry since its inception. Today there are over 800,000 subscribers to satellite broadband Internet access services across the 50 states. Recognizing that the cost of end-user equipment is a limiting factor in the rate of broadband adoption, the satellite industry hopes to immediately accelerate that rate by significantly defraying this cost to consumers,” Hughes said in a statement.
    Smaller satellite companies are also joining the fight. Mike Kister, president of  the Ohio-based Skycasters Satellite Co., said he met with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) to discuss the possible role Skycasters could play in bringing broadband access to the state’s unserved and underserved areas. Kister said the talks included Skycasters’ goals in universal accessibility and telemedicine. “We focused on the rapid deployment of satellite solutions versus laying of fiber and the immediate impact that would have on creating jobs in Northeast Ohio,” Kister said in a statement.
    Skycasters’ proposed solution involves providing the last mile with WiMax and Wi-Fi towers, using satellite as the middle mile on an interim basis until the proposed fiber infrastructure is completed. “Using satellite will allow us to bring broadband access to large areas of the country now so that our nation can reap the benefits of broadband connectivity sooner rather than later. Once the fiber is available, the last mile infrastructure can be backhauled with fiber, while the satellite connection is retained to serve the crucial role as a backup,” said Kister.
    In July, RUS and NTIA outlined its requirements for state and local governments to apply for  broadband stimulus grants in a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). According to the NOFA, all broadband stimulus money must be disbursed by Sept. 30, 2010 and grant recipients have three years to fully complete their projects.
The second of three funding windows under the stimulus program opens in October.

Related Stories –

Government Series Part II: Satellite Players Helping the Public Through Civil Programs   [Via Satellite – August 2009]
Tough Fight Ahead for Share of Broadband Stimulus Money   [Via Satellite – May 2009]
Hughes and WildBlue Team Up To Fight for Broadband Stimulus Funding [Satellite Today 04-28-09]