Virginia
On Pole Attachments, Industry Groups Battle Over Cost Caps and Utility Control
Comcast cited 13,000 Virginia locations facing delayed deployments from pole disputes.
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.
Expert Opinion
Robert Morau: Broader Workforce Could Unlock Faster Broadband in Brownfield MDUs
The challenge is most visible inside brownfield multi-dwelling units (MDUs), where in-building work can represent up to 40 percent of total project time and cost.
BEAD
WISPA Says BEAD Contracts Risked Driving Providers Away
The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said restrictive clauses could stall broadband construction timelines.
BEAD
House Democrats Want Non-Deployment Funds Maintained
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) suggested he would push for his state to access its full allocation.
Fiber
Demand Drivers and Capacity Questions at Regional Fiber Connect Workshop
The Fiber Broadband Association's Kansas City workshop brought together more than 320 attendees to discuss AI, streaming, and cloud applications.
NTIA
Colby Humphrey and Lexi West: America’s Plans to Expand Broadband Could Be Hindered by Workforce
The BEAD program faces potential delays as the telecom industry confronts a projected shortage of skilled workers needed to build infrastructure.
EFF
President Trump to Sign Executive Order on AI at 4 p.m.
BREAKING: White House action could have dramatic impact on the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program
Commerce
USTelecom Presses FCC to Rein in Permitting Costs, Timelines
‘More green lights, less red tape,’ the group’s CEO said.
BEAD
West Virginia BEAD Plan Approved
The approved plan would spend $78 million less than the state's tentative awards.
Department of Commerce
Democrat, Public Interest Groups Challenge Legality of White House AI Directive
Critics warn federal preemption efforts exceed agency authority and statutory limits.
BEAD
BEAD's Future and Digital Divide Solutions Discussed at Broadband Nation Expo
Broadband experts differed on BEAD's rollout, debating whether the program accelerated or obstructed rural connectivity efforts.
AI
Draft Executive Order Would Tie Non-Deployment Funding to State AI Regulation
The draft would direct NTIA to withhold funds if states regulate AI companies too heavily.
Commerce
NTIA Cracks Down on BEAD Proposals Built on ‘Hypothetical’ Funding
The agency will issue new guidance on how states should evaluate 'speculative' or uncommitted funding sources in BEAD.
Digital Inclusion
Western Massachusetts Towns Become National Model for Community Broadband
New report chronicles how 19 rural communities built America’s densest collection of locally owned fiber networks
NTIA
Trump Commerce Department: 18 BEAD Proposals Approved by NTIA
BREAKING NEWS: One state, Louisiana, had access to its BEAD funds Tuesday, the agency said.
California
California BEAD Plan Delayed Again
The state said NTIA requested it hold off on publishing the document.
