Commerce
Cantwell, Schatz Press NTIA on Nearly $1B in Undistributed Tribal Broadband Grants
$980 million in funds remain frozen; $294 million in announced awards still undistributed.
BEAD
The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program is a $42.45 billion initiative administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, BEAD aims to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
BEAD
Draft Bill Would Claw Back BEAD Non-Deployment Funds
The effort could include more than $20 billion of the program's $42.45 billion.
FBA
Kansas Wraps Up Major Broadband Program, Eyes BEAD Construction in 2026
Kansas broadband development official outlines next steps as Kansas nears BEAD deployment.
BEAD
NTIA: BEAD Winners Can Continue to Receive Opex Subsidies for Existing Networks
Prohibition on operational subsidies 'applies only to BEAD-funded projects and does not affect existing subsidies in non-BEAD areas to which a provider is already entitled.'
NTIA
Advocacy Group Opposed to BEAD Restrictions on Opex
The Community Broadband Action Network said some members were nervous about accepting BEAD awards.
BEAD
Pew: Bad Data a Barrier to Shoring up Broadband Workforce
The $42.45 billion BEAD program is expected to create a large jump in demand.
BEAD
State Broadband Leaders Frustrated by Federal Changes to BEAD Program
States like Kentucky are including less fiber (58%) than in earlier BEAD proposals (85%).
AI
Commissioner Gomez Calls for Stronger Efforts to Close the Digital Divide
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez urged stronger action to ensure all communities have access to affordable broadband.
Pole Attachments
West Virginia Lawmaker Proposes Empowering State Broadband Offices on Poles
Broadband leaders nationwide face a shared challenge: Keeping utility pole disputes from slowing internet expansion.
BEAD
Roth: No State Net Neutrality, Affordability Laws for BEAD Participants
She said grantees would also have to forgo federal opex subsidies for BEAD builds.
SpaceX
Ookla: Digital Divide Narrowed in 33 States
South Dakota ranked No. 1 in Starlink-delivered broadband speeds
Expert Opinion
Ray Diaz: How Broadband Connects Tribal Communities to Broader Opportunities
Despite federal funding efforts, 24 percent of Americans on Tribal lands still lack broadband access, limiting economic opportunity and essential services.
BEAD
Fischer Wants More Fiber for Nebraska from Trump’s Commerce Department
The Republican Senator did not comment on BEAD non-deployment funding.
FBA
Chambers Criticizes BEAD Delays, Calls for Clearer Broadband Standards
The BEAD program, Chambers argued, has done more to delay construction than to drive it.
SpaceX
U.S. Pacific Territories Chart Path to Universal Broadband Coverage
Territories’ BEAD plans emphasize buried fiber, resiliency, and disaster readiness.
BEAD
Nonprofit Urges Return of $22 Billion in BEAD Savings to Taxpayers
CAGW’s stance clashed with the views of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican.
