WISPA Not Done Working to Ease Wireless Participation in BEAD

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 16, 2024 – Just because the rules of the Infrastructure Investment an Jobs Act’s broadband grant program are mostly figured out doesn’t mean WISPA is done working to make it easier for small and wireless broadband providers to participate.

Steven Schwerbel, state advocacy manager for WISPA, said that the group is drafting model legislation to take to state legislatures that would ease tax burdens on build outs and make conditions generally more favorable for smaller ISPs looking to participate in theBroadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.

“We will be pursuing that model legislation in a set of targeted states to make the tax implications of the kinds of equipment you buy and the kinds of activities you undertake more cost effective, to reduce the tax burden on buildouts, and to make sure that you have the regulatory policy climates that you need to be able to succeed,” he told members here at WISPAPALOOZA.