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The first round of broadband stimulus funds could be announced as early as next month. But those who don’t get the green light on their applications, and others who sat out the first round in hopes to get an education they can use in future rounds, should be aware that rather than two more broadband stimulus rounds, they may be just one.

In comments given before the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet Committee on Energy and Commerce of the U.S. House of Representatives, NTIA Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling, recently said:

“Although NTIA and RUS previously indicated that we planned to hold up to three rounds of funding, our review of our experience in this first round, leads us to now explore the option of holding just one more round of funding. This more consolidated approach may have the potential of yielding benefits for all stakeholders.

“First, it would enable us to complete the entire grant-making process in the summer of 2010, as opposed to next September, thus expediting the stimulative benefits for the economy and job creation that the Recovery Act promises.

“Combining the second and third rounds into a single funding round, and adjusting the application deadline, could afford additional time – both to stakeholders, to provide us with well-informed views on how the first round worked for applicants, and to NTIA and RUS, to learn from our experience and adjust those aspects of the process that need to be improved. Also, parties who wish to collaborate on an application, such as through consortia or public-private partnerships, could have additional time to work out the details of those arrangements. Finally, combining the final two rounds may also economize on administrative expenses.”