Rural Providers Blanch at Artificially Low-Cost BEAD Options

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2024 - A letter on behalf of rural broadband providers called on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to take greater consideration of small providers while reviewing state proposals for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program.

The letter, issued by Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) on May 21, asked the NTIA to avoid imposing artificially low-cost options on providers. Bloomfield said that in awarding broadband deployment grants, NTIA should not automatically choose ISPs that promised the highest matching funds, an approach that would help to ensure small providers can compete for grants.