West Va. Labor Leader Wants BEAD to Support Fiber Build

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2025 — West Virginia’s fiber-first broadband strategy, years in the making, may be upended as the administration of Gov. Patrick Morrisey, R, undertakes a 90-day review of the state’s federally funded internet expansion plan.

Jeff Anderson, president of Communication Workers of America Local 2010, criticized the potential shift, said it would discard two years of planning that prioritized fiber for its longevity, scalability, and 50-year service life. Satellite internet, he warned, would offer limited upgradeability, higher maintenance costs, and performance constraints, particularly for telework.

The state’s plan, which reportedly focused heavily on fiber deployment, was among the first approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the $42.45 billion BEAD program. However, no BEAD funds have yet been released to West Virginia.

In a statement, the Morrisey administration said it aims to align the state’s broadband strategy with the Trump administration’s broadband policies. Critics say the move could shift investment toward satellite providers like Starlink, operated by Elon Musk, potentially raising long-term costs for consumers and limiting job growth tied to local fiber construction.

Anderson expressed concern that the switch to satellite would create fewer local jobs than fiber. “All of the [telecom] companies around here locally, in anticipation of getting this funding, we have ramped up our employee base and provided a lot of people with good local jobs,” Anderson said. “If this funding is slashed or cut completely, a lot of people will be laid off or let go in general. It’s going to be a real hit to the economy.”

A final decision is expected by May 9.