June 2025

As broadband officials dig into the fine print of updated guidance governing a $42.45 billion federal broadband expansion program, many raised concerns about new advantages carved out for low-Earth orbit satellite providers. One of the clearest examples, they argued, was a provision under revised rules for the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment program, that gives satellite providers up to 10 years to meet performance benchmarks—more than double the four years allowed for fiber and other technologies to comply.

When the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released new guidelines for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) rural broadband funding program, the deadline for applying for funding had already passed in Vermont and administrators were about to begin the scoring process. Nevertheless, Christine Hallquist, executive director of the Vermont broadband office, says that the changes won’t be tremendously disruptive — at least not in Vermont. Initial BEAD rules prioritized fiber and allowed the use of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and u