States Looking to Ensure Participation in New BEAD Rounds

State broadband heads are focused on keeping participation in the new round of bidding mandated for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration handed down new rules on June 6 for the $42.45 billion program that require a new round of bidding for all states with a new scoring rubric, among other things. “We could have a situation where we have less competition this time than we did last time. People are going to get out, they’re not going to want to participate and spend more money,” said Glen Howie, head of the Arkansas broadband office. “So my number one goal has been to keep everybody in the boat and keep morale up.”