Broadband Officials Urge Trump to Protect BEAD Funding

Key Takeaways

State officials are urging the incoming Trump administration to maintain momentum for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Nineteen states have started selecting internet providers for the BEAD program, with others in line to follow soon.
Concerns exist about potential regulatory changes that could impact the program, but officials are hopeful for process improvements.

Concerns Over Future of BEAD Funding

State broadband officials are calling on the incoming Trump administration to allow progress on the $42.5 billion allocated through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), 19 states have initiated the process of selecting internet service providers for the program, with an additional three states completing their selections. Seventeen states have finalized their challenge processes, positioning them to begin selecting providers shortly.

Broadband leaders are concerned that changes in the administration could disrupt these advancements. Brandy Reitter, Executive Director of the Colorado Broadband Office, expressed hope that the program would not be put on hold after a challenging three years. “It’s a big deal because we’ve gone through a lot over the last three years, so I’m hoping that we don’t hit pause,” she stated during a recent webinar.

While some changes to the BEAD program are anticipated, there are suggestions for streamlining certain aspects of its execution. Reitter mentioned that the current procurement process is financially burdensome for both state agencies and providers. She emphasized that any efforts to “free up BEAD dollars to help with deployment” by easing regulations would be beneficial.

Additionally, Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA in Louisiana, expressed confidence that the Trump administration would implement operational and policy improvements within the NTIA aimed at accelerating infrastructure deployment. His optimism reflects a broader hope within the state broadband community for continuing support and expansion of the BEAD program.

However, not all voices align in support of the program as currently structured. Elon Musk, whose company, Starlink, provides high-speed internet through satellite technology, has criticized the BEAD initiative. During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump voiced skepticism of traditional broadband expansion efforts. He remarked, “We’re spending a trillion dollars to get cables all over the country, up to upstate areas where you have two farms, and they are spending millions of dollars to have a cable. Elon can do it for nothing.”

This skepticism raises questions about the future direction of broadband funding and initiatives. As the administration transitions, state officials and stakeholders within the broadband sector remain vigilant and anticipate both challenges and opportunities related to the BEAD program. The hope is that improvements can be made while still making significant advancements in closing the digital divide in underserved areas across the country.

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