Despite progress toward universal affordable, high-speed broadband, the rules change again

Photo by S. Dhage

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on June 6 announced changes to the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Stakeholders have "expressed both outrage and optimism as states search for answers on a path forward," reports Chris Teale of Route Fifty.

Teale writes that the NTIA says its changes aim to "remove regulatory burdens, lower costs and make it technologically neutral."

The government "gave states 90 days to comply," Teale writes. "During that time, they will also have to conduct what NTIA called an additional 'Benefit of the Bargain Round' of subgrantee selection that it said would permit all applicants to compete on a level playing field." 

The latest reforms for the $42.5 billion program work to shift its focus away from restricting state options. "NTIA said it would adopt a 'tech-neutral approach to BEAD, having previously expressed a preference for fiber," Teale explains. "Rules around workforce development, climate and environmental impacts have also been rescinded, as has the approval for Delaware, Louisiana and Nevada’s final plans."

Among the trio of states that already had fully approved plans, Delaware's state broadband office reported it was "reviewing" the new guidance, while Nevada's U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen said "she would block the nominations of any Commerce Department appointees that oversee or deal with broadband until the state gets its funding," Teale reports. Louisiana's broadband offices have yet to respond. Several states are taking Delaware's lead and say they are in the process of reform review.

Sen. Jacky Rosen

While some politicians and the Internet & Television Association have hailed the changes as a better path forward, "many outside groups have criticized the new BEAD rules," Teale reports. "Jessica Dine, a policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute, said in a statement the new guidance from NTIA 'creates a confusing, last-minute mess of changes. By forcing a rebidding process on an incredibly short timeline, the new policy notice is, in effect, undoing all of the states’ work on their bidding processes so far.'"

The statement by Nevada's Rosen was by far the most outspoken. She said, "I’m beyond outraged that the Trump Administration has moved the goal post yet again. This decision will put Nevada’s broadband funding in jeopardy, and it’s a slap in the face to rural communities that need access to high-speed internet.”