Minnesota Providers Not Participating in BEAD Program

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2024 – Minnesota is set to receive an historic $652 million for broadband expansion, but key requirements of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program could keep many in-state internet service providers from participating.

“My members are telling me they’re not going to participate,” Brent Christensen, president and CEO of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, recently said with regard to the $42.45 billion broadband expansion program. “The way that BEAD is structured. I don’t know how anybody’s going to participate.”

Christensen, whose organization represents 70 ISPs across Minnesota, told Broadband Breakfast in an interview that many members have been reluctant to even engage with the program.