WASHINGTON - The vast majority of the federal government's latest broadband stimulus grants are aimed at bringing direct fiber connections to rural communities, according to the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council, a non-profit group that promotes next-generation broadband.

All but three of the 14 latest Recovery Act broadband stimulus awards announced this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will go to projects centered on fiber to the premise solutions. In the announcement, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that the projects "will provide employment opportunities, building a solid foundation for future economic growth."

"As we saw in the first round of broadband stimulus grants, the federal agencies are focused on the future and on funding solutions that will serve the nation's broadband needs for generations to come," said Joe Savage, President of the FTTH Council. "Thus far it appears that the agencies are recognizing that only all-fiber networks will be capable of meeting the ever-growing need for more bandwidth to support emerging video, tele-medicine and work-at-home applications over the Internet."

The latest awards will fund FTTH projects in California, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oregon and Virginia. Also included were funding for a middle mile project in Alaska, a DSL service in Alabama and a wireless solution in Iowa.

About the Fiber-to-the-Home Council

Now in its ninth year, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Council is a non-profit association consisting of companies and organizations that deliver video, Internet and/or voice services over high-bandwidth, next-generation, direct fiber optic connections - as well as those involved in planning and building FTTH networks. The Council works to create a cohesive group to share knowledge and build industry consensus on key issues surrounding fiber to the home. Its mission is to educate the public and government officials about FTTH solutions and to promote and accelerate deployment of fiber to the home and the resulting quality of life enhancements such networks make possible. More information about the Council can be found at www.ftthcouncil.org.
Media Contact:

David St. John
Media Relations
FTTH Council
315.849.3800
media@ftthcouncil.org