Unstrung has compiled an initial list of companies and groups that have applied for funds. Where possible we've included how much they asked for, how the money would be used, and the funding program to which the companies have applied.
This is clearly not a comprehensive list. Some operators and groups haven't announced bids yet, while the first-round winners won't be unveiled until September at the earliest. We invite readers to send in any updates they think applicable, and we'll add them to the table. Please send email updates to [email protected].
Table 1: Broadband Stimulus Applicants
| Company/Group | Amount | Project | Areas | Program |
| 360networks | TBA | Fiber optic network | Western US | TBA |
| Champion WiFi | $2.7M | City WiFi network | Monrovia, CA. | BTOP |
| Clearwire | TBA | Mobile WiMax | TBA | TBA |
| Cricket Communications | $8.6M | High-speed wireless Internet access | Multiple Cities | TBD |
| DigitalBridge | $100M | WiMax | TBA | TBA |
| ERF Wireless | $20M | Rural WiMax | LA, TX | TBA |
| IBEC | TBA | BPL | Ala. | TBD |
| Internet America Inc | TBA | Fixed Wireless | Rural Texas | BTOP/BIP |
| KeyOn Corp. | $150M | WiMax network | Nationwide | BIP |
| Level 3 Comms. | Less than $50M | Improving amplifier stations | Kan., Tenn. | TBD |
| National Medical Wireless Broadband Alliance | TBD | Wireless medical networks | 70 U.S. hospitals | BTOP |
| OpenCape | $40M | Fiber optic network | Mass., NE | BTOP |
| SkyTerra Comms | $37M | Develop 700 Mhz public safety devices | N/A | BTOP |
| TDS Telecom | TBD | Wireline | 13 U.S. states | BIP |
| TowerStream Corp. | $120M | WiMax | 17 underserved metro areas | BTOP |
| WildBlue Comms | $30M | Satellite broadband | Ariz., Colo., Wyom. | BTOP |
| Xfone | TBD | Wireline | TBD | TBD |
| Yonder Media | $9.4M | Internet access in remote areas | Nev., Calif. | TBD |
| BIP Broadband Initiatives Program BTOP Broadband Technology Opportunities Program TBA To Be Announced TBD To Be Determined Sources: Unstrung, Cable Digital News, Business Week | ||||
In this first round of funding, there's about $2.4 billion available under the rural Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) for deploying broadband in the boondocks. Meanwhile, up to $1.6 billion is available in the Broadband Technologies Initiative Program (BTOP), which is intended to promote new broadband technology in unserved and underserved communities.
Overall, $7.6 billion will be paid out under the broadband element of the Recovery Act. Of this, up to $4.7 billion is due to be paid out under BTOP funding by the end of September 2010. The next rounds are expected to get underway in the spring and fall of 2010. (See Recovery Act: Bids Come In.)
States and cities such as NYC and Philadelphia were also expected to make bids for funds. Unstrung will create a separate chart for those bids if and when more data is available.
— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung
How is the government going to gove away $4.2 billion for these little carriers/projects? Something is wrong. The larger carriers like the RLECs don't seem to want the money.