A Reduction in BEAD Awards for Satellite? A Look at the Latest Data

We analyzed the Federal Communications Commission's latest Serviceable Location Fabric (v9) and the latest Broadband Data Collection (BDC) data release (2025-12-31, which uses Fabric v8) to see how many locations awarded  Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds for satellite service are either (1) no longer included in the Fabric as broadband-serviceable locations or (2) are already “served.” About 35 percent of locations awarded BEAD funds for satellite service are likely no longer in need (42% if unlicensed fixed wireless is included). In terms of funding, this eliminates roughly $354 million in expenditures ($423 million if unlicensed fixed wireless is included). This latest development highlights several important takeaways and open questions about BEAD and the state of broadband availability in the U.S.

• It underscores that the BEAD map and the digital divide BEAD was created to close remain moving targets.
• These gains are driven by relentless investment by ISPs, which are pushing their terrestrial networks into more parts of the country.
• Continued refinement of the BEAD map with the latest data indicates that, notwithstanding the complaints of some, the FCC’s BDC process continues to improve with each iteration, yielding ever more accurate maps.
• This latest directive from NTIA comes at a time when BEAD projects in many states are still getting off the ground.
• When BEAD locations come off the map, the question then becomes, what happens to those funds? Do they go into the non-deployment bucket?