Level 3 Requests Stimulus Funds for Middle Mile
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 24, 2009 · 
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After the three largest U.S. telcos (AT&T, Qwest and Verizon) and cable operator (Comcast) announced they would abstain from filing in the first round of broadband stimulus applications, Level 3 has taken a different path, positioning itself as a neutral “middle-mile” wholesale service provider to last-mile broadband operators.
The company has applied for $15 million in grant funding. Level 3 plans to use this funding, along with an additional $5 million in its own capital, to create new access points or middle-mile connections to its network in more than 50 rural markets in six states.
“Level 3 is excited about the opportunity to provide the building blocks to expand affordable, open access to the global Internet,” said Sureel Choksi, chief marketing officer for Level 3. “The Level 3 nationwide network travels through many of the unserved and underserved communities targeted for improved broadband, positioning Level 3 to play a crucial role in expanding broadband access now and into the future.”
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