On August 29, 2025, Virginia became the first state in the nation to submit its revised final proposal for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The proposal, which requires approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), would award over $613 million to 24 internet service providers to bring broadband to nearly 90 thousand locations. Roughly 79 percent of locations would be served by fiber networks, 14 percent by satellite, and 7 percent by other technologies. The proposal would leave the state with nearly $870 million for other broadband-related activities. 

On September 9, a group of 15 bipartisan, bicameral Virginia state legislators sent NTIA Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth a letter expressing support for their state's final proposal. They commend Virginia Office of Broadband for producing a strong plan while adhering to NTIA's revised BEAD guidance and urge Assistant Secretary Roth to approve the proposal as originally submitted. Read the full letter below.

To: The Honorable Arielle Roth
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230

Re: Support for Virginia’s BEAD Final Proposal

Dear Assistant Secretary Roth:

We, the undersigned group of 15 bipartisan state senators and delegates, write to express our strong support for the Virginia Office of Broadband’s Final Proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, submitted on August 29, 2025 to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The proposal reflects a thorough and responsive effort by the state to implement the NTIA’s June 6, 2025 Policy Notice. By aligning closely with this guidance, the Virginia Office of Broadband has crafted a plan that is both technology neutral and cost-effective. At the same time, it sets forth a clear path to ensure that every resident of Virginia can access high-speed internet—furthering the goal Congress set forth in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

We commend the NTIA and the Department of Commerce for issuing a policy framework that will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and with all deliberate speed. Virginia’s Broadband Office has worked hard to meet the tight deadlines set out by the Policy Notice, while carefully abiding by its core dictates. The Final Proposal embraces these principles, while also adhering to the infrastructure law’s statutory mandates.

We respectfully urge the Department to approve Virginia’s Final Proposal in a timely manner, so that implementation can proceed without delay. In addition, we look forward to guidance regarding allowable uses of non-deployment funds. We stand ready to support the Virginia BEAD program and ensure its success.

Thank you for your continued leadership in expanding broadband access and opportunity nationwide.

Kindest regards,
 

The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people in the U.S. have access to competitive, High-Performance Broadband regardless of where they live or who they are. We believe communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities.

© Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2025. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally - is encouraged if it includes this copyright statement.

For subscribe/unsubscribe info, please email headlinesATbentonDOTorg

Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org

Share this edition:

Broadband Delivers Opportunities and Strengthens Communities