Pew Favors Practical and Bipartisan BEAD Changes
The Pew Charitable Trusts is taking a wait-and-see approach on the future of BEAD (see 2503170045), said Kathryn de Wit, project director of its broadband access initiative. “If the goal is to get shovels in the ground more quickly, our…
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research shows that pursuing practical and bipartisan administrative changes to BEAD -- like using existing permitting processes from other federal broadband programs … rather than completely overhauling the program -- would foster trust between states and ISPs and keep progress moving,” she said in an email late Monday. On accommodating satellite broadband, she noted that “alternative technologies, including fixed wireless and satellite, have always been part of the solution, and states have had the ability to include them in their BEAD planning processes.” Nevada has already completed its ISP selection process, and while it’s using fiber to serve more than 80% of its unserved locations, satellite will serve about 9%, she said.