Panelists Say BEAD’s Real Test Is Adoption, Not Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2026 – Even if the federal government’s $42.5 billion BEAD program succeeds in building networks nationwide, panelists warned that the digital divide will persist if people cannot afford or effectively use broadband.

The discussion at the State of the Net conference on Monday, quickly centered on what several described as the larger challenge: Adoption. 

Paul Garnett of the Vernonburg Group framed it bluntly, calling adoption “our Everest.” The infrastructure gap may be measurable, he suggested, but the harder task is ensuring households actually subscribe and benefit from the service once it is available.