Following NTIA’s release of new rules and guidance for the BEAD program, Joe Kane, ITIF's director of broadband and spectrum policy, released this statement.

NTIA Is Right to Curb Expensive Fiber Overreach—Next Stop: Affordability, Says ITIF

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

ITIF urges NTIA to pair BEAD’s technology-neutral deployment reforms with targeted home-broadband affordability support—using remaining funds with tight eligibility guardrails—so the program truly closes the digital divide rather than stopping at infrastructure.

Letter to NTIA Assistant Secretary Roth on Closing the Digital Divide With BEAD

If states or NTIA plan to spend tens of thousands of dollars per home on deployment and thereby deny affordability support to millions, they should be prepared to explain why they’re spending most or all their money on 3 percent of the problem.

Uncapped Fiber Fixation Can’t Close the Digital Divide

Uncapped Fiber Fixation Can't Close the Digital Divide

At Arielle Roth's confirmation hearing, Senators worried reforming BEAD would cause delays—but the real holdup is fiber favoritism; embracing tech neutrality is the fastest way to close the digital divide.

Fiber Bias, Not Tech Neutrality, Delays BEAD Success

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

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

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

The Latest

ITIF’s Previous Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

BEAD Needs All Technologies to Succeed

Related

NTIA Is Right to Curb Expensive Fiber Overreach—Next Stop: Affordability, Says ITIF

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