Ezra Klein

And they don't just say, OK, thank you for the money. We're going to spend it, and you can see how it worked out later. We're like, here's our five-year action plan. Then the FCC must publish the broadband data maps before NTIA allocates funds. So this one is, I think, a little funny at least. So these maps, right?

And they don't just say, OK, thank you for the money. We're going to spend it, and you can see how it worked out later. We're like, here's our five-year action plan. Then the FCC must publish the broadband data maps before NTIA allocates funds. So this one is, I think, a little funny at least. So these maps, right?

This is supposed to show you where you don't have enough broadband, but it then says in parentheses, and states needed opportunities to challenge a map for accuracy. So having done the NOFO, the letters of intent, the request for planning grants, then the review, approval and awarding of the planning grants, then the five-year action plans.

This is supposed to show you where you don't have enough broadband, but it then says in parentheses, and states needed opportunities to challenge a map for accuracy. So having done the NOFO, the letters of intent, the request for planning grants, then the review, approval and awarding of the planning grants, then the five-year action plans.

In between that, the federal government has to put forward a map saying where it thinks we need rural broadband subsidies. And then of course, the states need an opportunity to challenge the map for accuracy. And you can imagine this doesn't all happen in like a day. OK, so then the NTIA, step seven, has to use the FCC maps to make allocation decisions.

In between that, the federal government has to put forward a map saying where it thinks we need rural broadband subsidies. And then of course, the states need an opportunity to challenge the map for accuracy. And you can imagine this doesn't all happen in like a day. OK, so then the NTIA, step seven, has to use the FCC maps to make allocation decisions.

Then, having already done their letter of intent, their request for planning grants, it's hard even to talk about this, man.

Then, having already done their letter of intent, their request for planning grants, it's hard even to talk about this, man.

Well, that literally is happening, by the way. By the time this could have gotten off the ground, Musk is taking it over for Starlink. Right. Okay. Step seven is NTIA must use the FCC maps that were already challenged for allocation decisions. Then having submitted all this, I think this one is actually quite amazing.

Well, that literally is happening, by the way. By the time this could have gotten off the ground, Musk is taking it over for Starlink. Right. Okay. Step seven is NTIA must use the FCC maps that were already challenged for allocation decisions. Then having submitted all this, I think this one is actually quite amazing.

Having submitted their five-year plans or letters of intent, step eight is states must submit an initial proposal. An initial proposal. to the NTIA.

Having submitted their five-year plans or letters of intent, step eight is states must submit an initial proposal. An initial proposal. to the NTIA.

I assume, but then what was the five-year plan?

I assume, but then what was the five-year plan?

God. Like if the five-year action plan isn't the initial proposal, then what's the five-year action plan? Forget nofo, mofo.

God. Like if the five-year action plan isn't the initial proposal, then what's the five-year action plan? Forget nofo, mofo.

Step nine, NTIA must review and approve each state's, again, initial proposal. By my read, we have had at least two initial proposals here, but that's a different issue. Oh my God. Step 10, states must publish their own map and allow internal challenges to their own map. So the government has published a map. They have invited the states to challenge the map.

Step nine, NTIA must review and approve each state's, again, initial proposal. By my read, we have had at least two initial proposals here, but that's a different issue. Oh my God. Step 10, states must publish their own map and allow internal challenges to their own map. So the government has published a map. They have invited the states to challenge the map.

Then states have submitted initial proposals and they then have to publish their own map and allow challenges. Wait, who's challenging it within the state? Well, you know, organized interest groups, environmental groups. Like, I don't know who specifically, but literally anybody. Oh, my God. I want to say something because it's very important I say this.

Then states have submitted initial proposals and they then have to publish their own map and allow challenges. Wait, who's challenging it within the state? Well, you know, organized interest groups, environmental groups. Like, I don't know who specifically, but literally anybody. Oh, my God. I want to say something because it's very important I say this.