Broadband Industry Coalesces in Support of ‘SPEED for BEAD’

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2025 – Industry officials – including those representing the fiber industry – are galvanizing in support of Rep. Richard Hudson’s SPEED for BEAD, introduced last Wednesday by the North Carolina Republican.

The measure’s introduction coincided with a hearing by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that Hudson chairs, and an announced review of the BEAD program by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose department administers the $42.5 billion program.

Among the industry groups that announced their support for Hudson’s measure – which drops the work “equity” from the program and renames it the Broadband Expansion, Access and Deployment – include ACA Connects, the Fiber Broadband Association, INCOMPAS, NTCA - The Rural Broadband Association, USTelecom, WISPA, and NCTA - The Internet & Television Association.