Funding
Expanding Broadband Fee to Cloud Services Could Slash State GDPs, Study Finds
New study projects major economic fallout if cloud services are required to help fund USF.
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.
NTIA
USDA, NTIA Receive Budget Cuts in Fiscal Year 2026
ReConnect eliminated; Digital Equity funding cut short
Infrastructure
West Virginia Received Few Non-Fiber BEAD Applications
State set its threshold at $28,000 per location, but average per-location cost was $9,182
Rural
NRECA Discusses Policies, Funding Needed For Rural Broadband
With the Trump Administration planning to cut ReConnect, rural broadband cooperatives are scrambling
Funding
Oklahoma Releases Dashboard Showing Broadband Deployment Status
State deploys broadband using non-BEAD funds
SpaceX
Schumer Urges Trump to Release BEAD Funding, Warns Against Subsidizing Starlink
Senate minority leader asks the White House 'to move swiftly.’
Fiber Connect
Fiber Lobbyist: Keep States in Control of BEAD
Other broadband industry groups made similar asks in a separate letter to the Trump administration.
BEAD
Arkansas Finalizes Bidding for BEAD Grants
About 99 percent of current eligible broadband locations are expected to be covered.
BEAD
Broadband Trade Group Join Push for BEAD Progress
Federal lawmakers, local ISPs that participated in the program, and other have been trying to keep political pressure on Commerce.
Commerce
Illinois Moves Forward on BEAD as Federal Overhaul Looms
Ports commission urges Congress not to stall broadband rollout, as state launches second funding round
BEAD
West Virginia Governor Suggests Funding for Fixed Wireless, Satellite in Revised BEAD Plan
The state's original plan had been 100 percent fiber, according to the program's former director.
BEAD
Louisiana Contractor Again Urging BEAD Progress
Lawmakers have been pushing the Commerce Department not to issue sweeping rule changes.
BEAD
Oklahoma Broadband Director Wants BEAD Flexibility
The state is wrapping up its BEAD application window on Monday.
Rural
Mercury Broadband Stares Down $25 Million Penalty for Surrendering RDOF Locations
Company petitions FCC to reduce expected penalty
Expert Opinion
Tim Stelzig: Creating a Lasting Solution for BEAD
Implicit in this structure is a recognition that states and territories are better positioned than the federal government to know what is an appropriate cost threshold for their citizens.
Briefs
Blackfoot Communications Defaults on Hundreds of RDOF Locations
Surrendered locations could be eligible for BEAD funding.
