Is access to the Internet with broadband speed now a right? There is no information provided in the story to let us know if this is a program fully funded by Internet service providers or if the federal government is subsidizing the program.
Remember the Stimulus Bill that just had to be passed quickly in 2009, or unemployment would rise above 8%? $7.2 billion of the total stimulus was allocated to subsidies to provide broadband services to rural areas without broadband. Read more
Great news! The President is announcing today the “winners” of his “we need to expand broadband in America” program. Remember, this plan was part of the Stimulus Package passed last year. And, the winners are…
You’ll have to go to this link to find out, but I will tell you that should you live in Connecticut, Rhode Island or Florida, for that matter, you’re out of luck. You’ll just have to make do with what you have. However, should you live in Massachusetts, you will receive $45.4 million to install 1300 miles of fiber optic cables in the western part of the state. This is most certainly a bargain…it will only cost you about $3500 per mile.
The total amount the President will spend for these projects is only $795 million. Of course, that’s $795 million we don’t have and will need to borrow from China, or any other country that might still be willing to loan us money.
But, look at the bright side…Obama claims this spending will create 5000 jobs. And that translates into… $160,000 per job, most of which are temporary.
Gee, couldn’t we find some cheaper, more long lasting jobs to create?