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US Seeks Volunteers To Review Broadband Grant Applications

Posted by timothy on from the low-expertise-worries-me-less-than-poor-incentives dept.

BobB-nw writes with this excerpt from Network World: "The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration, scheduled to distribute $4.7 billion in broadband deployment grants over the next 15 months, will count on volunteers to review grant applications. The NTIA, in a document released this week, asks for people to apply to become volunteer reviewers of the broadband grants. The NTIA's broadband grant program is part of $7.2 billion that the US Congress approved for broadband in a huge economic stimulus package approved earlier this year. ... It's 'a little scary' that volunteers will have the power to accept and reject broadband applications, said Craig Settles, an analyst and president of consulting firm Successful.com. Volunteers may have limited expertise, or they may have biases that aren't evident to the NTIA, he said."

6 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Come on, now... by DarrenBaker · · Score: 2, Informative

    Not TFA says 'review' and not 'grant'. The volunteers are going to produce reports, not grant funds. Sheesh.

  2. Re:Biases by anthony.vo · · Score: 3, Informative

    We're talking about billions of dollars here...surely the government could toss in a couple hundred thousand to pay people to do the job.

    It's not like as if they haven't done this before :-/ The $200 Billion Broadband Scandal

  3. Re:Democracy can be a little scary... by Joe+Snipe · · Score: 4, Informative

    At least the ratio of honest criticism to paid shill will be lower than the current system.

    --
    Sometimes, life itself is sarcasm...
  4. Re:Bedtime Story by danzona · · Score: 2, Informative

    You are not that far off. From TFA:
    Volunteer reviewers will be required to have some connection to the broadband industry, although the volunteers will have to comply with rules from NTIA parent agency the U.S. Department of Commerce on conflicts of interest and confidentiality, the NTIA document said. Reviewers must have "significant expertise and experience" in either designing and building broadband networks, educating or training consumers about broadband, or working in programs to increase demand for broadband, the NTIA document said.

  5. ... Did any of you read the article? by snwyvern · · Score: 2, Informative

    In order to qualify as a "volunteer" for this service you need to be an employed member of the business community relevant to the topic. So-- No, Homeless Bill, and/or Sergi the Special Needs Bus Attendant will not qualify for the program. ... *sigh*

    1. Re:... Did any of you read the article? by DragonWriter · · Score: 2, Informative

      In order to qualify as a "volunteer" for this service you need to be an employed member of the business community relevant to the topic.

      Wrong. Per the announcement linked in TFA, current employment in the field is not require, but "[t]o be considered as a reviewer you must have significant expertise and experience in at least one of the following areas: 1) the design, funding, construction, and operation of broadband networks or public computer centers; 2) broadband-related outreach, training, or education; and 3) innovative programs to increase the demand for broadband services." (emphasis added)

      Indeed, being currently employed in the field probably makes it more difficult, since you have to abide by the Department of Commerce's conflict of interest rules; I'm not familiar with their particular rules, but certainly you'd be less likely to fall afoul of them if you didn't have any current direct interest in that market despite prior experience.