In a series of recent postings (Nov. 17, Nov. 11), JSI has informed clients about the RUS-NTIA Request for Information (RFI) seeking comment on suggestions for changes in the rules for the second, and final, round of funding applications under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  On Nov. 30, JSI filed comments in response to the RFI, focusing on specific concerns that clients and staff encountered in submitting and responding to applications.  A summary of our comments and our recommendations to RUS and NTIA on how to improve the application process is available to clients on MyJSI.

In a related matter, JSI has been diligently seeking to determine the status of pending applications filed in the first round.  We have discerned no significant movement of applications to the second phase of the process, in which applicants have 30 days to produce their “due diligence” information that will then be reviewed by the agencies.  Accordingly, JSI observes, it appears that most of the broadband stimulus funds allocated for Round One will not be awarded until sometime in January, at the earliest. 

Throughout recent weeks, JSI has regularly checked the agencies’ searchable database of applications on the broadband stimulus funding website, www.broadbandusa.gov, where RUS and NTIA provide information on the status of all applications.  However, JSI has yet to find any change in the status of applications we are tracking.  Our observations were confirmed earlier this week by an RUS representative who informed JSI staff that the awarding of the funds will be a “rolling process” and to date, there have been no postings on the website indicating whether applications have moved to the second phase or have been rejected.  The RUS official also confirmed our understanding that there can be no discussions with agency staff regarding the specifics of pending applications. 

Regarding the status of pending NTIA applications, it appears that NTIA may be awaiting FCC Form 477 data before it moves significant numbers of applications to the second phase.  In a public notice released on Nov. 25, the FCC sought comment on whether it should provide NTIA access to the broadband data that the FCC collects through the Form 477 submissions.   According to the notice, NTIA has requested access to the data because it “intends to use this data to help validate the unserved or underserved classifications of the BTOP applicants’ proposed funded service areas.”  Since the comments requested by the notice are not due until Dec. 7, it appears that it will not be until after that date that NTIA will make any significant movement on pending applications. 

If you have questions about JSI’s comments on the RFI, the status of Round One applications, or the process for Round Two, you can contact John Kuykendall (jkuykendall@jsitel.com) or Valerie Wimer (vwimer@jsitel.com) in JSI’s Maryland office, at 301-459-7590.