The national broadband buildout is running behind schedule; much of the program is still in the planning stages

Broadband builds in remote places are lagging behind
schedule. (Adobe Stock photo)

Many rural communities still lacking reliable, fast internet have plans to address the need through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, known as BEAD. But the "massive federal program meant to expand broadband access to underserved areas across the country is falling behind schedule, state broadband officials and experts say, even as Trump administration actions create further uncertainty about its funding and rules," reports Madyson Fitzgerald of Stateline. 

The BEAD program is in its third year, but much of it remains in the planning stages. The 1,200-resident community of Alpine County, California, "is still waiting to see how BEAD funds will help residents, who most rely on phone lines to connect to the internet and can’t afford high-speed connections," Fitzgerald explains. "They lack internet speed for tele-medicine, banking and tax filing."

When U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was confirmed in February, "he supported the goals of BEAD but wanted to make sure it was done efficiently and effectively' and sidestepped questions asking him to commit to sending money out to states," Fitzgerald reports. "Griffith said he’s hopeful the money will still flow, noting that most of BEAD’s funds will go to rural areas, many of which tend to elect and support Republicans."

The program still has a bank of glitches to work through. "Officials in some states have run into snags with challenges to the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map," Fitzgerald explains. "Through the map challenge process, local governments, internet service providers, nonprofits and other groups can help determine whether a particular location actually has internet service."

Affordability also is an issue. "The BEAD program also mandates state broadband officials include a low-cost service option for low-income households," Fitzgerald reports. "But industry groups have pushed back, calling the rule 'completely unmoored from the economic realities of deploying and operating networks in the highest cost, hardest-to-reach areas.'"

Individual states are helping to expand broadband with their own laws. "As of Feb. 24, lawmakers in 43 states had filed a total of 300 bills regarding broadband access, infrastructure, affordability and more, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures broadband legislation database," Fitzgerald adds. "Lawmakers in 10 states have filed legislation to expand broadband access to rural areas."