Shovel-ready broadband stimulus

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: dewayne () warpspeed com (Dewayne Hendricks)
Date: May 6, 2009 2:21:54 PM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <xyzzy () warpspeed com>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] Shovel-ready broadband stimulus

SHOVEL-READY BROADBAND STIMULUS

[Commentary] The $7.2 billion broadband stimulus will not achieve what  
it advertises for the US economy. Firms that had been building rural  
broadband networks have reportedly halted operations, circling back to  
Washington. Ultimately, the $7.2bn will be awarded in "beauty  
contests," where bureaucrats examine competing proposals and make  
their picks based on their values, mood, and whim. A group of 71  
economists expert in telecommunications policy, including two Nobel  
Laureates (and this author), have urged a different approach, "reverse  
auctions." The government would state its performance criteria and  
then take bids, selecting the lowest price offers. The proposal has  
only a remote chance of being adopted because it is both transparent  
and economical. Having to make goals objective and explicit takes the  
discretionary political fun away. And assigning rights by competitive  
bidding is like having a fraternity party without any beer at all.

<http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/af900dd0-3699-11de-af40-00144feabdc0.html>
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