Experts Say $21 Billion Remaining BEAD Funds at Risk of Going Unused
Industry leaders push for faster distribution to avoid defaults, delays, and efforts to close the digital divide
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 – Experts say the federal government needs to release the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program’s $21 billion in remaining funds before time runs out.
Five panelists shared their insights with Moderator Jimm Phillips at the 2026 BEAD Implementation Summit on Wednesday.
Comcast State Government Affairs Vice President Lyndsay Moyer said funds that take too long to be distributed often fall to default, which must be prevented to ensure states can use these funds as “Congressionally intended to close the access gap once and for all,” she noted.
