BEAD is failing rural America. Let’s fix it now.

Broadband programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration have supported the construction of broadband networks in some of the most expensive-to-reach rural areas. NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program is one of the largest federal broadband programs to date. With $42 billion allocated toward rural broadband buildout and adoption, the BEAD program represents a historic opportunity to bring high-performance broadband to all of rural America. But BEAD’s delayed implementation, shifting guidance and repeated rule changes have created a program defined by uncertainty and confusion. Instead of accelerating deployment, these ongoing revisions have discouraged participation and slowed progress. Moving forward, the industry needs a clear priority for scalable, high-performance broadband that can meet future demand. At the same time, BEAD’s delays have increased costs and complicated equipment procurement, making already challenging rural projects even harder to complete. These challenges are compounded by new requirements imposed late in the process. In particular, the requirement that electric cooperatives will be subject to FCC pole attachment rates for their entire electric system represents a clear break from long-standing federal policy that specifically bans that requirement. Some electric cooperatives have already walked away from BEAD funding due to this requirement. Investing the second half of BEAD's $42 billion broadband fund wisely is critical.

[Jim Matheson is Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)]