Would Trump Put BEAD on Hold? Unlikely, Experts Say

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2024 – Republican complaints about various provisions of the Biden administration’s flagship broadband expansion program are well known. Even if Donald Trump takes office next year, experts said it’s probably too late to institute many of the desired changes sought by Republicans.

Some GOP members of Congress and the Federal Communications Commission have blasted the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program for various requirements, including climate resilience, fair labor practices, and even the program’s preference for fiber-optic cable.

In line with National Telecommunications and Information Administration rules, states evaluated the risks climate change and extreme weather could have on broadband deployment in the plans they submitted to the agency in December.