BEAD
FBA, Benton Pleased By New BEAD Round, Electric Co-ops Want ‘Course Correction’
Based on tentative location counts, as much as $2.4 billion could be available for additional projects
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
More Non-Deployment Guidance Not Coming Soon, NTIA Says
State officials were glad to secure coverage for more locations but had mixed feelings about a new policy notice
BEAD
All 56 Federal Broadband Plans Approved. Construction Comes Next
Illinois was the final state approved under the federal government’s landmark broadband program. Michigan, Hawaii, Virginia and California are among many states now building.
BEAD
Some Remaining BEAD Funds to be Used on New Bidding Round
NTIA said it would outline other allowable uses in a future update
Infrastructure
Fidium Breaking Ground on BEAD Work, Signing Hyperscaler Deals
The company is still aiming for 2 million fiber passings by the end of 2027
Broadband Mapping and Data
GAO Wants Easier Coverage Challenges at FCC, More Detail on Long-term BEAD Monitoring
USDA officials said a $4.6 billion telecom loan program was largely unallocated, but they expected more interest as grant funding dried up
Wireless
GCI Expands 5G to 9 More Southeast Alaska Towns
GCI has expanded 5G service to nine more Southeast Alaska communities, boosting mobile connectivity across the region.
BEAD
With all BEAD Plans Approved, States and Territories Set to Spend $18.2 Billion on Deployment
The program’s 3.79 million locations are set to 63 percent fiber and 22 percent satellite, based on NTIA-approved plans
Expert Opinion
Johnny Kampis: The Impracticality of Widescale Fiber Broadband in Alaska
The USDA spent $34.91 million on fiber to reach 28 customers in two remote Alaska villages, topping $2 million per passing, the author says
BEAD
Michigan Signs 17 Subgrants Under Federal Broadband Program
Nearly $1.5 billion in public and private investment will expand broadband access to roughly 200,000 locations.
Satellite
Louisiana Excited by $100 Billion SpaceX Launch Facility, Local Starlink Discounts
The state said SpaceX’s BEAD locations were unchanged
BEAD
Illinois BEAD Plan Approved
It was the last state awaiting NTIA clearance
Digital Inclusion
Broadband Adoption Slipping, Researchers Warn Pennsylvania Lawmakers
Cuts to federal benefits could push 233,000 households off broadband, researcher warns.
Expert Opinion
Bhavin Gandecha: The Permitting Bills Won’t Fix What’s Actually Broken
Congress keeps asking how to build faster, but nobody has defined how much delay or funding variance the system will tolerate before escalation is automatic.
BEAD
AI Buildout Worsening Supply Costs, Permit Worries, ISPs Say
Lumen said it was laying middle mile fiber next to strands reserved by hyperscalers
Expert Opinion
Bob Bartz: The Broadband Map Is Getting Better. Here’s What Still Needs to Change
Faster provider reporting and engineering field data would make FCC broadband maps more accurate, and that matters for investment decisions well beyond BEAD.
