NTIA Finalizes Guidance on LEO Satellites for BEAD

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2025 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued new guidance Thursday to enhance state access to federal broadband funding for alternative technologies like low-Earth orbit satellites.

Building on draft guidance released in August, NTIA's final guidance on the use of alternative broadband technologies under the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program reflected input from 138 stakeholders' comments. These ranged from fiber-first advocates to those urging the program take a more technology-neutral approach.

“NTIA has taken steps to significantly reduce barriers to participation by LEO satellite providers,” NTIA stated in its announcement. “Letter of Credit obligations, federal interest requirements, and consumer premises equipment obligations have all been addressed in a manner that will better facilitate participation by LEO providers.”