How to Spend $21B? Permitting Reform, Middle Mile, 5G, Digital Literacy and Public Safety

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2026 – More than 1,300 people listened in, and just under 50 voiced opinions at, a Zoom webinar on how to spend the remaining $21 billion in funds under the government’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

They brought forth a wish list of funding items including permitting reform, digital literacy programs and emergency response improvements. A very small minority wanted to return the funds to the taxpayer, even though Congress has already allocated them. 

The session was hosted by the National Telecommunication and Information Administration, the Commerce Department agency responsible for spending the original amount of $42.5 billion.