Expert Opinion
Mark Vasconi: A Growing Reality Check for BEAD
I’m a former State Broadband Officer. Here's what other SBOs are saying about BEAD.
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
States Can’t Unilaterally Alter BEAD Contracts, NTIA Says
The agency asked states to reduce satellite awards, but some had already signed their agreements
Data Center
Texas Governor Halts Data Center Grid Connections Pending Audit
The data center interconnection freeze is separate from the state's halting the disbursements of billions in broadband funding.
permitting
With House Effort Stalled, NCTA Presses Senate on Broadband Permitting
Cable group asks Senate committee leaders to include broadband reforms in any permitting package.
BEAD
Texas Halts BEAD Disbursements as New Comptroller Recasts Broadband Office
A broadband mess in Texas
Dustin Burrows
Broadband Grants Paused as Critics Allege Favoritism Toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
An audit is underway, but no completion date has been set.
Mountain Connect
Watch Out for Pole Disputes, Environmental Permits, Experts say
One engineer suggested outside consultants to support local permitting agencies
Expert Opinion
Bartlett Cleland: The Market Is Already Solving Dead Zones; BEAD Shouldn't Fund Them
Now that the big three carriers are jointly building satellite direct-to-device coverage, BEAD should stop chasing rural mobile and stick to connecting unserved homes.
Fiber
How Corning is Making Fiber Available for BEAD Winners
Fellow U.S. fiber manufacturer Psyrmian announced Wednesday it was spending $1 billion to expand its capacity at four facilities
BEAD
Hawaiʻi Begins $30.7 Million BEAD Broadband Buildout
Once envisioned at $95 million, the buildout will now reach the same locations for a third that cost.
BEAD
States Working on BEAD Project Costs, Permits
Equipment costs are rising as projects get underway
Rural
The Farm Bill Fight That Will Shape Rural Broadband
Republicans were unable to move their bill forward. The measure will determine the future of the USDA’s ReConnect Broadband program.
Virginia
RiverStreet Networks Loses Virginia Contracts After Numerous Delays
Virginia has stripped the company from multiple state-subsidized broadband projects after years of missed deadlines and funding shortfalls.
Broadband Mapping and Data
BEAD Projects Could Require 86,000 Permits Nationwide, Analysts Say
ACLP researchers said that was likely an undercount
BEAD
Virginia Moves Forward on BEAD Contracts
One ISP backed out of a small project, but other winners are scooping up those locations
Broadband Mapping and Data
Federal Broadband Funding Is Expanding Coverage and Competition
New CostQuest analysis found federally funded areas are increasingly served by multiple providers
