Bipartisan Support Builds for Using Remaining BEAD Funds on a Digital Opportunity Dividend

Most state and territorial broadband offices have completed subgrantee selections for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program last-mile connectivity projects and submitted their final proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). By adopting the technology neutral approach outlined in NTIA’s latest directives, state and territorial broadband offices (Eligible Entities) have identified subgrantees capable of delivering high-speed connectivity to every unserved and underserved location in the country, while significantly reducing program costs below federal appropriation amounts. Over $18.4 billion has been provisionally awarded to extend coverage in the 52 states and territories. That means that these states and territories have roughly 60% of their total federal allocations remaining, or nearly $20.9 billion. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) clearly provides Eligible Entities with the authority to spend these funds—a Digital Opportunity Dividend—on a variety of enumerated uses, including broadband adoption initiatives. Congress intentionally structured the BEAD program to first ensure plans are in place to build the last-mile networks in unserved and underserved communities, and then to allow the states and territories to fund other programs that “facilitate the goals of the [BEAD] program.” The message from states and their elected officials is clear: the work is not done building connected communities through BEAD. Pairing the newly awarded deployment projects with targeted investments ensures that the bipartisan promise of BEAD is fulfilled: not only to connect all Americans to the internet, but to empower them to thrive in the country’s economic, educational, and civic life.