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Net neutrality almost certainly is the implication of this section: "operate basic and advanced broadband service networks on an open access basis; (D) operate advanced wireless broadband service on a wireless open access basis; (E) adhere to the principles contained in the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband policy statement (FCC 05-151, adopted August 5, 2005)." (That's the four freedoms principles.)

There's $2.85B from the NTIA involved, backing Obama's clear commitment during the campaign to Net Neutrality. Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast have expressed support of NN recently, while squabbling over the details. Whether they choose not to accept stimulus money because of this is unclear. One of Verizon's paid advocates argued against including NN in the bill because the bells would never accept it, but the companies haven't said that directly. In particular, Jim Cicconi at AT&T has questioned whether it should be applied to wireless. A few years back, many of us thought wireless NN might have problems. A landmark paper by Tim Wu of Columbia convinced most of us - including two FCC commissioners - that wireless NN is practical.

I believe the language is clear. Jules at the FCC and nearly all the Obama team are strong supporters. Ars suggests Jay Rockefeller, the Senate lead, is also a proponent.  http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080422-senators-push-fcc-on-comcast-net-neutrality-at-hearing.html  That will make it very hard to take this out of the bill or prevent enforcement. Here's the section.

(1) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITY.—The NTIA shall award Broadband Deployment Grants in accordance with this subsection from money appropriated for Broadband Deployment Grants by this subtitle to eligible entities to deploy necessary infrastructure for the provision of basic broadband service or advanced broadband service to end users in designated areas.

(2) GRANT DISTRIBUTION.—The NTIA shall seek to distribute grants, to the extent possible, so that 25 percent of the grants awarded under this subsection shall be awarded to eligible entities for providing basic broadband service to unserved areas and 75 percent of grants awarded under this sub-section shall be awarded to eligible entities for providing advanced broadband service to underserved areas.
(e) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.—The NTIA shall—
(1) adopt rules to protect against unjust enrichment; and
(2) ensure that grant recipients—

(A) meet buildout requirements;
(B) maximize use of the supported infrastructure by the public;
(C) operate basic and advanced broadband service networks on an open access basis;
(D) operate advanced wireless broadband service on a wireless open access basis; and
(E) adhere to the principles contained inthe Federal Communications Commission’s broadband policy statement (FCC 05-151, adopted August 5, 2005).

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After I wrote this, I discovered Declan at CNET had beat me to the story. Drat. But we both beat the Times, Post, WSJ, AP and Reuters per a Google search.