Federal Officials Reject D.C. Broadband Funding Request

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2026 – The federal agency overseeing the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program rejected a proposed broadband expansion project in Washington, D.C., after determining the locations identified for service did not actually require federal subsidies.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Arielle Roth said the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ultimately approved $0 in BEAD funding for the district after reviewing its proposal.

 The city initially sought nearly $4 million to connect 55 locations, which would have amounted to roughly $70,000 per address, Roth said during a policy discussion hosted by the Technology Policy Institute.