$7.4 billion in stimulus projects to extend broadband to poor and rural areas - washingtonpost.com

The Obama administration named 18 projects Thursday that would receive a portion of the $7.4 billion in stimulus funds set aside to bring high-speed Internet to poor and rural areas that have been overlooked by Internet service providers.

Analysts say the first batch of funds suggests the federal government is targeting "middle mile" projects that may not bring lines directly to the home, but could have even greater impact by connecting entire communities that have been off the Internet grid. Bringing pipes into homes aren't always as helpful, some say, if those homes aren't connected to the Internet pipelines that connect their communities to the rest of the nation...