Broadband Carriers Avoid Stimulus Money

As part of the federal government’s stimulus package, $4.7 billion dollars have been set aside to bring high-speed internet to areas in which such a luxury has not yet been introduced. However, the deadline to accept the money, August 20, is rapidly approaching, and surprisingly few big-name broadband carriers have stepped up to the plate and taken the money.
 
So far, carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast have not yet applied to receive any portion of the stimulus money and are not expected to do so, according to the Washington Post. The companies reportedly do not have any need for the funds, despite the fact that these carriers are solidly in the advantageous position of being able to bring high-speed internet to needy customers.
 
For the most part, this decision stems from the fact that accepting stimulus money would force the companies to undergo stricter observation from the federal government, as well as preventing them from being able to monitor their networks as closely as they should be able to. Instead of big-name broadband carriers, though, many wireless companies have applied for funding and are poised to receive the majority of the money.

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