Broadband mapping in the United States

[citation needed] The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) was funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (known as the "stimulus package") under the Obama administration.

[needs update] In 2009, it was estimated that US$350 million would be expended to build the nationwide inventory of broadband services map.

[10] In service of the MassBroadband 123 project to provide universal access statewide, the Institute created the Massachusetts Broadband Map,[11] as of 2011 updated every six months.

[1] Although the term broadband once had a technical meaning, it is used in marketing and policy to generally apply to relatively high data rate (and thus more expensive) Internet access, while technology changes over time.

[13] The National Telecommunications and Information Administration in 2009 said it would reassess the program to ensure the funds are used in a "fiscally prudent" manner, after private firms claimed they could make the map for much less.

[citation needed] Internet providers, including telephone and cable firms, according to a report in The New York Times, are reluctant to disclose to government whether it offers service to some regions, how much it costs, and other parameters of availability.

[15] Connected Nation is a non-profit group which was involved in an effort to get the state of Kentucky mapped regarding its available Internet service.

Brodsky used the term broadband bullies to describe telephone and cable efforts to impede the mapping project.