Thursday, January 22, 2009

Stimulus: House panel clears $3 bln Internet grants

From Reuters India:
A key U.S. House committee approved about $3 billion in grants to expand Internet service on Thursday, including a provision opposed by mobile phone companies that calls for increased Internet openness....

...Potential recipients of the grant money include Internet service providers such as telephone companies AT&T Inc (T: Quote) and Verizon Communications Inc (VZ: Quote) and cable company Comcast Corp (CMCSA: Quote), though analysts say it is unclear whether they will take advantage of the funds. Waxman said the proposal is aimed at "service providers, infrastructure companies, or a state or unit of local government."