The federal government’s $42 billion BEAD program is off track due to its costly fiber bias, but a new ITIF report shows how embracing technology-neutral solutions—like LEO satellites and FWA—can deliver broadband faster, cheaper, and more effectively to unserved communities.

Federal Broadband Program’s Costly Fiber Bias Delays Access; ITIF Proposes Tech-Neutral Strategy for BEAD 

Federal Broadband Program's Costly Fiber Bias Delays Access; ITIF Proposes Tech-Neutral Strategy for BEAD 

Congress has allocated $42.5 billion to bridge America’s digital divide through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. To achieve that goal, states and territories must carefully craft plans to use their shares of the funds to the greatest possible benefit.

BEAD Report: Grading States’ Initial Proposals for Federal Broadband Funds

BEAD Report: Grading States' Initial Proposals for Federal Broadband Funds

Congress should reform broadband subsidies to address the remaining causes of the digital divide: affordability and digital literacy.

To Do: Reform Broadband Subsidies

ITIF filed comments with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the matter of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Implementation (Docket No. 220105-0002), regarding the $48 billion to be administered by NTIA through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program; the Middle Mile Program; and the Digital Equity Planning Program.

Comments to NTIA Regarding Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

In their Five-Year BEAD plans, states’ strategies for achieving digital inclusion provide an early indication of their approach to the central goal of BEAD: to get all residents meaningfully, not just nominally, connected.

Trends in State BEAD Plans: The Measurement Problem

Notice of Funding Opportunity from the NTIA Is a Step in the Right Direction, Says ITIF

Congress has allocated more than $42 billion to bridge the “digital divide,” but that effort risks failing because the federal BEAD program encourages states to overspend on high-end fiberoptic infrastructure.

BEAD Program’s Fiber Bias Pushes States to Overspend on Broadband, Neglecting Other Causes of the Digital Divide, New ITIF Report Concludes

BEAD Program's Fiber Bias Pushes States to Overspend on Broadband, Neglecting Other Causes of the Digital Divide, New ITIF Report Concludes

States are set to receive billions of dollars in federal funding—enough to close the digital divide once and for all. Following these 10 commandments will ensure they make the most of the money and citizens get the connectivity they need.

Ten (Suggested) Commandments for Closing the Digital Divide

The United States has spent decades and billions of dollars to achieve universal broadband access. Yet the digital divide continues because many Americans still face barriers to affordability or lag in digital literacy. It’s time for a bold rethinking of broadband policy to match today’s realities.

To Do: Make the Broadband Equity, Access, and Inclusion (BEAD) Program Technology Neutral

Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

BEAD Needs All Technologies to Succeed

Related

Federal Broadband Program’s Costly Fiber Bias Delays Access; ITIF Proposes Tech-Neutral Strategy for BEAD

BEAD Report: Grading States’ Initial Proposals for Federal Broadband Funds

To Do: Reform Broadband Subsidies