WISPA Says BEAD Contracts Risked Driving Providers Away
The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said restrictive clauses could stall broadband construction timelines.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2025 – State broadband offices were urged by a leading trade association on Tuesday to avoid contract terms that could cause providers to abandon their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment awards.
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The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association said the next major hurdle after NTIA approvals is converting provisional awardees into signed subgrantees. Steven Schwerbel, the group’s director of state advocacy, warned that restrictive agreements could prompt providers to walk away from multimillion-dollar projects and leave unserved locations without planned service.
The memo identified four areas where WISPA said contract language is most likely to deter participation. First, states should allow providers that won multiple project areas to consolidate them under a single agreement. Schwerbel said a unified contract would reduce reporting burdens for awardees and streamline review workloads for state broadband offices.
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