Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

Funding

  • Total: $4.7 billion
  • Competitive grants to acquire equipment, instrumentation, net working capability, hardware and software, digital network technology, and infrastructure for broadband services; construct and deploy broadband service related infrastructure; ensure access to broadband service by community anchor institutions; facilitate access to broadband service by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations in order to provide educational and employment opportunities to members of such populations; and construct and deploy broadband facilities that improve public safety broadband communications services ($4.35 billion)
  • Developing and maintaining a broadband inventory map ($350 million)

Agency

Deadlines

  • Funds expire September 30, 2010

Additional Information

  • No more than 80% of the funds on any project can be federal funds (except where special waiver is granted by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce
  • At least 1 grant per state
  • Priority given to projects that increase affordability of broadband access
  • Priority given to projects that provide the greatest broadband speed to the greatest number of subscribers
  • Priority given to projects that enhance service for health care delivery, education, or children to the greatest population of users in the area
  • Priority given to projects that will not result in unjust enrichment as a result of support for non-recurring costs through another Federal program for service in the area