Panelists Consider BEAD Performance, Compliance and Affordability
Experts say connectivity gains are real, but affordability and oversight will determine BEAD's lasting impact.
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2026 — The next phase of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program will bring a sharper focus on affordability, panelists at Broadband Breakfast Live Online webcast said Wednesday.
In a wide-ranging event discussing the program with moderator Drew Clark, CEO of Broadband Breakfast, panelists provided data to document the dramatic strides already made in closing the digital divide. They also highlighted the role that performance monitoring and post-award compliance is likely to play in the program.
Slides from Broadband Breakfast Live Online
Private capital and performance gains reshape the map
National download speeds, upload speeds and latency have all improved since 2021, said Bryan Darr, vice president of government affairs at Ookla, who walked through map data showing dramatic shifts over just five years.
