Lobbyist: Verizon Lukewarm Towards Stimulus Broadband Grants

Verizon Communications chief lobbyist Tom Tauke said yesterday at a news briefing that Verizon expects most of the federal stimulus grants for wireless internet expansion construction to go to state and local governments, who will then contract the actual network construction to companies best positioned to expand high speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas. Verizon is going to stay away from these grants as it positions itself to oppose proposals for stricter federal limitations in Verizon's ability to give preference to its own content on its networks. I guess this means Verizon is going to leave the construction work to the little guys, contracting with local governments which receive the grant funds.