A recent article from BroadbandBreakfast.com discusses the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) final workshop in a series devoted to the Universal Service Fund (USF). The goal of the fund is to help extend broadband service to uncovered areas across the United States. Workshop discussions included how and to whom funding will be appropriated. The FCC has proposed using reverse auctions to award financial assistance to broadband service-providing telco companies.

The reverse auction proposal would limit government funding to a single entity that would provide service to the entire service area. Providers would enter into an auction wherein the company that could provide the service with the lowest level of government funding would win.

What do you think? Should the FCC use reverse auction technology to award the contracts? Is this an appropriate item for the process?