Are the U.S. and U.K. Strategies on Broadband Going to Do the Job?

Interesting that complaints were raised both in the U.S. and the U.K. this week regarding the broadband deployment strategies (or lack thereof) of the respective federal governments.

Although the current economic stimulus packages in Congress include $6-$9 billion in broadband-related funding, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a number of mid-sized operators are indicating that this won't cover the costs of deploying infrastructure to underserved areas, which is supposed to be a focus of the funding. The funding currently covers both new buildout and upgrades to existing networks.

In the U.K., the government released Digital Britain, which promises broadband to every U.K. household by 2012. However, critics are harsh in their reviews, saying the report offers no real concrete plans for how to accomplish this. I love how BBC News put it:

But the Conservatives said the report promised "no new action". The Lib Dems said it was a "complete damp squib".