NTIA Offers Guidance on Funding Starlink, Other Technologies with BEAD Money

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2024 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration published Monday draft guidance on how states can fund alternative technologies through its flagship broadband subsidy program. The agency is taking comments through September 10. 

For the purposes of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, “alternative technologies” means fixed wireless broadband via unlicensed spectrum or low earth orbit satellite services like Starlink.

The BEAD program will still prioritize fiber-optic cable, and states can turn to alternative technologies only in areas where no ISPs using fiber, coaxial cable, or licensed fixed wireless apply for BEAD grants, or where their project costs would be above a certain threshold.