Putting 'Visceral' Reactions Aside, State Broadband Officers Plan to Make BEAD Work

After setting aside “visceral” reactions against the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's June 6 restructuring policy notice governing the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, state broadband officials expressed willingness to roll up their sleeves and make it work. “It appeared to be much more of a mess last week, when we were all very visceral in our reactions to it,” said Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer at Michigan’s High-Speed Internet Office. “Having met with all the other offices and met with my staff for the last four days, it’s coming together. The plan is coming together. Our timeline is coming together,” said Frederick. “And so we’ll just tackle this like we did the first time.”