Speeding BEAD Summit

A one-day conference on expediting BEAD on June 12, 2025

The Speeding BEAD Summit

Beginning at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2025
Clyde's of Gallery Place, 707 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Panel 1: High-Cost Thresholds and the Future of Fiber in BEAD

The BEAD program originally allowed states to set their own high-cost thresholds when deciding whether to fund deployment through fiber, wireless, or satellite. Reports that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick might seek to deploy a federally-required high-cost cap might redirect funds towards “lower cost” solutions, particularly low-Earth orbit satellites, have raised questions. What are the pros and cons of a federal cap?

Glen Howie, State Broadband Director, Arkansas
Drew Garner, Director of Policy Engagement, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society,
Other panelists have been invited

Panel 2: Finding the State Versus Federal Balance in BEAD

The design of the BEAD program under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gave states considerable leeway to design and implement broadband builds. Will the Trump administration change this state-led approach? Many federal and state lawmakers are warning against changes to BEAD. But many broadband providers say they would welcome relief from some onerous rules surrounding BEAD deployment.

Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer, Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
Other panelists have been invited

Panel 3: The New Need: AI Skills Training

By whatever name, successful broadband deployment efforts require digital adoption and digital training. The rapidly accelerating role of artificial intelligence has, in fact, created a new need for AI Skills Training. Might efforts at digital inclusion and workforce skills training now include AI skills training?

Additional panels may be added to the program

Silver Sponsors

Early Bird Registration

Early Bird price until May 16

Speaker Bios

Panel 1: High-Cost Thresholds and the Future of Fiber in BEAD

Glen Howie is the Director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office.

Drew Garner is the Director of Policy Engagement at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. He helps lead Benton’s work on broadband affordability, and he serves as Deputy Director for the Broadband State Education Project, which gives community-led coalitions a powerful voice in state broadband investments. Previously, Drew worked as the State Broadband Policy Advisor for Common Sense Media, and as a Broadband Legislative Fellow for Senator Tina Smith. He received a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University.

Panel 2: Finding the State Versus Federal Balance in BEAD

Eric Frederick serves as the State of Michigan’s first Chief Connectivity Officer. In this role, Mr. Frederick leads the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) with the goals of achieving universal broadband access and creating a more digitally equitable state. For more than a decade, Eric has been a steadfast advocate and resource for expanding broadband in Michigan and now oversees MIHI’s $1.8 billion in funds to close Michigan’s digital divide. Eric also serves as the designee for Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II as the chair of the FCC’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.

About the Speeding BEAD Summit

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of November 2021 established the $42.5 billion BEAD program. State broadband offices have all been allocated funds. Three states (Louisiana, Nevada and Delaware) have finalized their awards, and are waiting for approval from the federal government to begin building. Others, including West Virginia and Maine, are revamping their proposals in dialogue with the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. And on April 22, NTIA issued a 90-day extension or pause on the program.

Meanwhile, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., in early March introduced the Streamlining Program Efficiency and Expanding Deployment for BEAD (or SPEED for BEAD) Act. During its introduction, Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, said: “Think what was just said: Three years of effort and not one inch of fiber has been built. Our people are clamoring in our area for local broadband to have access to the Internet and broadband.”

Broadband Breakfast’s Speeding BEAD Summit will bring the key stakeholders together to consider the central issues around BEAD.

Silver Sponsors:

The Fiber Broadband Association is the voice of fiber. As the premier association that focuses solely on fiber, we are relentless in our work to connect every American with fiber. Because only fiber can close the digital divide, and unleash economic development that will raise the quality of life for every single one of us — providing education and job opportunities; eliminating poverty; creating sustainability and enabling innovations we haven’t even thought of yet. Fiber ensures no one gets left behind.

gaiia is a leading provider of OSS/BSS solutions for the telecommunications industry. With its comprehensive platform, gaiia offers ISPs an all-in-one solution for billing, CRM, operations, field service, automation, and more. Founded with a vision to simplify and optimize ISP operations, gaiia empowers providers worldwide to deliver exceptional services and drive growth in the digital age. To date, gaiia has raised a total of US$26.2M. For more information, please visit gaiia's website.