Where is the Broadband Stimulus?

President Barack Obama laid out his plan for a huge economic stimulus package, with broadband rollout, an Internet-based smart energy grid and computers for schools as part of the plan. The idea was to put this plan into effect within weeks of taking office....one little problem, Congress doesn't work quite that fast!

I personally know of several companies in the Vsat business who have lobbied for some of the hundreds of millions Obama has promised to the industry to bring high speed internet to every corner of America. Obama called on Congress to approve funding for rolling out broadband to unserved and underserved areas, although his speech did not provide details on how he wants it to happen. No beef yet!

Our new President is learning (I hope) that the position of President has power, but nowhere near as much as he envisioned or perhaps fantasized about. The evidence of this glitch in his gettalong for me is that we have seen the markets virtually ignore the passionate addresses Obama has made to the American public and to Congress recently. If anything, the markets have reacted negatively - as if putting him in his place as a bit too carried away with his own BS.

Like all industries, the VSAT industry could use a shot in the arm.......hopefully the stimulus will come soon.