Don't Hit Pause Button on BEAD, Say State Broadband Officers

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The incoming Trump administration should not pause the government’s $42.5 billion effort to end the digital divide, said Brandy Reitter, head of Colorado’s broadband office. There’s been speculation the Trump administration might alter some Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) rules the GOP has been strongly critical of, from its fiber preference to its low-cost service requirement for low-income households served on subsidized infrastructure. The latter might, like previous adjustments, not cause a tangible delay, but some experts have said changing how projects are to be scored or selected could be disruptive. “Anything we can do to streamline the process and right-size the BEAD program” would be beneficial, Reitter said. She pointed to the procurement process, which she said was similar to standard infrastructure projects but could be more tailored to broadband deployments.


Don't Hit Pause Button on BEAD, Say State Broadband Officers