Broadband Stimulus Creates Plan for Most Expensive Visio Diagram Ever

Look, for the most part I think the stimulus plan is a really good idea, and while I think the amount of spending (infrastructure spending in particular) versus tax cuts falls woefully short of what it should be, the bill seems to be putting money in the right places. One of the aforementioned places I have been keeping close tabs on is the amount allocated to broadband growth. Even for those not closely familiar with technology, it is not a stretch to see just how broadband communications can greatly affect our country's progress. Better communications sparks better collaboration, faster research, but more importantly...one could argue that our nation's network connectivity drives the ideals of egalitarianism that initially grew from the advent of the printing press long ago. Our ability to communicate and organize easily is "flattening" our world in ways that we honestly haven't even realized.

Gigaom and the SF Chronicle have good overviews of the bill as passed. Here are some highlights:


7.2 billion dollars - This is a decent compromise between the two bills. Unfortunately the money is split up into two grants that don't have to be allocated until 2010.

No speed requirements - This is not a good development. Initially the bill had aggressive verbiage regarding the standard definition of "broadband". This has since been stricken as legislators decided to focus on availability. I see this as a focus on rural and underdeveloped communities.

Broadband penetration map - This is a great idea and needed...but seriously, 350 million?? I'll have one on your desk by the end of the year for free Mountain Dew and Miller Lite.