NTIA Releases Draft Guidance on BEAD Performance Testing

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2024 – The Commerce Department released draft guidance on how Internet Service Providers will collect and report compliance data as part of its flagship broadband expansion program. The agency is taking comments until Dec. 19, 2024 before issuing a final policy notice.

The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program requires participants to provide speeds of at least 100 megabits per second download and 20 Mbps upload and latency below 100 milliseconds, in addition to keeping average outage time below 48 hours per year.

Providers will have to submit that information to states and territories, the entities ultimately administering the program, twice a year during build outs and for 10 years after BEAD-funded networks are constructed.