• Washington Post, Friday, August 14, 2009 1:57 PM

Despite the prospect of nationwide broadband, the top network operators are apparently saying "Thanks, but no thanks" to the Obama administration's stimulus money. That's right, as the August 20 deadline to apply for nearly $5 billion in broadband grants approaches, neither AT&T, Verizon nor Comcast are likely to take the offer, The Washington Post reports.

And why the heck would they? Well, it would appear as though the companies are all loaded. So loaded, in fact, that they're afraid taking Obama's money could invite a closer look at their business and compensation practices. Who do these guys think they are? Goldman Sachs?

The operators are also whining about some conditions attached to the cash, particularly a net-neutrality rule they claim could prevent them from managing traffic on their networks to their liking.

So, the companies that are best positioned to achieve national broadband -- which, it goes without saying, would be a colossal boon to the economy, the age of accessible information, and American ingenuity and entrepreneurship -- are balking over transparency and control issues?

Obama has sought universal access to broadband all along, making the solid case that it would underpin the country's economic future. Moreover, the stimulus funds target homes and businesses in the sticks that have largely been bypassed by broadband providers because of the costs associated with reaching small communities.

If there was an award for great feats of unpatriotism, these carriers would be first in line. -Gavin O'Malley

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