As the world becomes increasingly digitized, reliable high-speed internet connectivity becomes more of a necessity than a luxury. To fully participate in the digital economy and access the same opportunities and essential services as densely populated central business hubs, residents in rural and low-income communities need access to the same connectivity infrastructure – something that's sorely lacking for many Americans.
To try to address this digital divide and achieve digital equity and inclusion for all, the United States federal government has introduced the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This program gives states and territories access to federal funding to start implementing the connectivity infrastructure needed to make high-speed broadband available to everyone, no matter where they’re located.
Understanding the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program
Recognizing how integral broadband internet is for economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life, the BEAD Program is a federal initiative that aims to expand high-speed internet access across the U.S., particularly in underserved and unserved areas.
How Did the BEAD Program Begin?
The BEAD Program was established as a key component of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021. The IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at revitalizing and modernizing the United States' infrastructure. Passed by Congress after months of deliberations, the IIJA reflects a broad consensus on the urgent need to address the digital divide.
The BEAD Program has set the stage for coordinated efforts across federal, state, and local lines to achieve comprehensive broadband coverage throughout the country, with the support of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is responsible for administering the BEAD Program, overseeing the distribution of funds, and ensuring project compliance with program goals and requirements.
Funding Allocation
The IIJA has allocated significant federal funding to states, territories, and local governments to support broadband projects. The total funding, distributed over several years, amounts to $65 billion specifically for broadband expansion, with $42.45 billion dedicated to the BEAD Program. This significant investment underscores the federal government's commitment to ensuring every American can access high-speed internet.
To receive BEAD funding, states and territories developed their own broadband plans and submitted these proposals to the NTIA. These proposals outlined how they intend to expand broadband access, address affordability, and promote digital inclusion in their respective locales. The NTIA is in the process of reviewing these proposals and will allocate funds based on need and the potential impact of the projects.
Who BEAD Aims To Serve
The BEAD Program specifically targets rural communities, low-income households, and underserved urban areas. These populations have historically been neglected by commercial broadband providers due to the high cost of infrastructure deployment and the lower economic return on investment in these regions.
Rural communities, in particular, face significant connectivity challenges due to their geographical isolation and sparse populations. Additionally, low-income households in both urban and rural settings often struggle to afford high-speed internet services. These challenges have exacerbated the digital divide, which has resulted in disparities in access to essential services, such as remote learning and telehealth support.
Implementing the BEAD Program promises to transform underserved areas by leveling the playing field and providing residents with the same digital opportunities as those in more connected regions. By focusing on these underserved populations, the BEAD Program aims to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all Americans.
The Current Status of BEAD
The U.S. is in a critical phase for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, known as the "year of execution." In 2024, the NTIA is focused on approving the initial proposals submitted by all 56 eligible entities (50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands) to enable them to proceed with their broadband deployment plans.
Progress So Far
As of December 27, 2023, all 56 eligible entities opted in to participate in the BEAD Program and submitted their initial proposals for NTIA approval.
Since then, the NTIA has begun approving initial proposals on a rolling basis, initiating the challenge processes for each entity. Several states, such as Louisiana, Kansas and Virginia, have already begun, or successfully concluded, their challenge processes.
The Challenge Process
The Challenge Process is a critical component of the BEAD Program, designed to verify the accuracy of broadband coverage maps and validate the data reported by broadband service providers, which often forms the basis of these maps. This validation is crucial because it prevents misallocation of resources and ensures funding is directed to areas genuinely lacking adequate broadband access.
The challenge process allows various stakeholders, including local governments, non-profit organizations and broadband providers, to contest the accuracy of the data used to designate areas as "served," "underserved," or "unserved." These challenges must be supported by concrete evidence, like speed test results or service availability records, before maps can be corrected and updated accordingly. By addressing these challenges, the NTIA ensures the broadband coverage maps reflect the true state of connectivity across the country, thereby optimizing the allocation of BEAD funds.
Upcoming Phases
Once the initial proposal is approved and the challenge process is completed, an eligible entity can begin selecting subgrantees as part of the final proposal process. These providers will carry out project plans to reach the BEAD goal of providing high-speed internet access to 100 percent of the entity's territory.
Final proposals are due no later than 365 days after the approval of the initial proposal. Once an eligible entity's final proposal is approved by the NTIA, the entity will receive BEAD Program funds to begin funding BEAD projects over a four-year implementation phase.
Long-Term Goals
The BEAD Program aims to eliminate the digital divide and make the internet a ubiquitous utility by 2030. To achieve this goal, the program emphasizes the importance of collaboration between federal, state and local governments, as well as partnerships with private sector entities and community organizations.
Continuous monitoring, transparent reporting, and adaptive strategies are crucial for addressing any issues that emerge during the implementation and keeping the program on track. Initiatives to enhance digital literacy and affordability are essential for ensuring increased internet access translates into meaningful use and benefit for all Americans.
Implementing the Infrastructure
Carrying out the specific tasks or projects outlined in a state or territory's broadband deployment plan takes dedicated and resourceful subgrantees, such as private companies, broadband service providers, and other entities involved in expanding broadband infrastructure and services.
Subgrantees execute broadband infrastructure activities such as laying fiber optic cables, setting up wireless networks, and other necessary infrastructure work to guarantee the delivery of high-speed broadband connectivity across a location. Implementing this infrastructure sustainably requires robust, high-tech components from premises solutions like fiber pathway or coaxial cables, connectors and outside plant to vaults and cabinets.
"Belden is perfectly positioned to help service providers expand broadband networks into rural areas with a comprehensive suite of PPC and Precision fiber to the home solutions,” Sev Sadura, VP Global Product Management of Belden Enterprise Solutions, said. “State-of-the-art PON solution now includes a complete suite of OLTs, ONTs, outside plant fiber and copper connectivity and customer premise solutions. All the components of our solution are designed to offer ease of installation, reduced complexity and automated setup, configuration and maintenance."
Our full-range broadband solutions for low-density geographies and expanding R&D capabilities provide an ever-expanding product portfolio that supports networks as they expand into rural areas.
Building a Digitally Inclusive Future with BEAD
Through strategic planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders, building the necessary infrastructure in remote or isolated areas, securing rights of way and navigating regulatory hurdles are all more achievable than before. And with the right partners and infrastructure providers, creating a digitally inclusive future where high-speed internet is accessible to everyone, everywhere is well within reach.