States Deemphasize Local and Rural Focus After BEAD Restructuring, Report Finds
Kaptivate analysis finds some states’ references to rural America dropped 80 to 100 percent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 – State broadband plans revised under new federal guidance sharply reduced attention to broadband adoption, workforce development, and local partnerships, according to an analysis from Kaptivate.
Kaptivate examined how states revised their Initial Volume II proposals under the $42.5 billion federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program after the government introduced revised guidance in June emphasizing tech neutrality and lowest cost.
The findings show that references to fixed wireless and satellite technology increased by 169 and 409 percent, while mentions of rural America and local partnerships declined in more than half of states, a trend the report describes as systemic rather than partisan.
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