Don't Delay BEAD Anymore, Bipartisan State Lawmakers Urge NTIA
More than 100 state legislators from 28 states on Thursday urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NTIA to ensure that states have the final say over their BEAD programs. In a letter backed by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the bipartisan group of lawmakers raised concerns about reported changes to the program that could cause delays to broadband deployment and states' authority over state programs. As of Thursday, 115 lawmakers had signed the letter and encouraged others to sign.
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"As state legislators, we understand that no program is perfect," the letter said: "However, we ask that you defer to our states about which changes we adopt." The letter cited "obstacles that we are only now overcoming" through the FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. "Let us not repeat mistakes of the past." NTIA declined to comment.
The letter came in response to Lutnick's comments last month vowing to make changes to the BEAD program. He said BEAD "has not connected a single person to the internet and is in dire need of a readjustment." Lutnick also said the Commerce Department launched a "rigorous review" of BEAD.
“NTIA shouldn’t change the rules in the middle of the game," said Benton Institute Director-Policy Engagement Drew Garner. Doing so "would invalidate years of hard and costly work by states and internet service providers, and it would keep millions of Americans offline for longer than necessary," he said: “We are so close to finishing the job. Let's not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.”
The lawmakers cited major strides as a result of NTIA's BEAD and digital equity programs. "For BEAD, initial grant rounds have resulted in nearly universal coverage, widespread competition, and substantial winnings for local and regional providers," they said, noting that Louisiana has achieved 95% fiber coverage, with the remaining 5% coming from wireless, cable and satellite.
Nevada has also achieved near-universal coverage using a variety of technologies. Delaware achieved full coverage with fiber. "These are incredible results, and the flexibility to prioritize fiber while still incorporating wireless and satellite technologies will bring our constituents high-quality, affordable service at reasonable costs," the letter said.
“Our goal with this letter is to remind Secretary Lutnick that states know what works best for our people and to ask that he defer to them on what changes are needed to close the digital divide once and for all,” said Missouri state Rep. Louis Riggs (R). “We’ve built smart broadband plans tailored to our communities, and federal changes at this stage risk undermining years of progress and deliberation," he said: "The best thing Washington can do is let states finish the job.”