States See Wide Range of Technologies in BEAD 'Benefit of the Bargain' Round
States received BEAD applications from providers of a wide range of technologies during the "Benefit of the Bargain" application round, according to initial data that some states released (see 2506060052). NTIA required all eligible entities to conduct a new round of applications so previously excluded providers could submit proposals for the $42.5 billion program.
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Although some states received a notable number of satellite-backed proposals, the majority of applications remained fiber-focused. NTIA rescinded its priority for fiber broadband projects in its June policy restructuring notice. Several states also saw resubmitted applications from ISPs that participated in earlier rounds.
States like Tennessee and Texas were among those seeing higher participation among satellite providers. Tennessee received 541 applications, compared with 298 during the previous round. An overwhelming number of applications came from SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Kuiper. "Satellite is clearly going to win a significant amount of grant funding since there were 68 of 173 serving areas that got proposals from one or both satellite providers and no other technology," wrote CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson in a blog post. He also noted participation by some of the top ISPs following NTIA's policy changes, with AT&T, Comcast and Windstream submitting proposals in Tennessee. Comcast switched its technology approach in the Benefit of the Bargain round to traditional hybrid fiber/coaxial networks, instead of the fiber it proposed in the first round.
Starlink was also the largest applicant in Texas, where it sought funding for more than 244,000 locations, according to an analysis by Wes Robinson, director of regulatory affairs for Eastex Telephone Cooperative. A range of wireless and fiber providers submitted Texas proposals as well.
Other states saw more of a mix of applications. In Virginia, 81% came from fiber providers, according to an interactive map released by the state's Office of Broadband this week, while 10% came from satellite providers, 8% from cable, and 1% from wireless. Louisiana's ConnectLA also released its application submissions, showing that fiber continued to dominate as the proposed technology. Satellite providers made up just 9% of applications in the latest round. The state received some proposals for cable and wireless services as well.
Likewise, Vermont received bids for a variety of technologies, including fiber, hybrid-fiber coaxial and low earth orbit satellite. “We’re pleased with the amount and technological variety of bids we received and, most importantly, that we’re on track to get all Vermonters served with broadband,” said Community Broadband Board Executive Director Christine Hallquist.
In Washington, 555 applications were submitted for projects including fiber, cable, satellite and fixed wireless, the Washington State Broadband Office said. It also noted that 15 eligible entities asked that their previous submissions be reconsidered, resulting in an additional 113 applications.
The Colorado Broadband Office reported that 54% of applications came from fixed wireless providers, 40% from fiber and 4.5% from satellite. After a 30-day review, award decisions will be made public for comment in late August, it said. Just 29 of the 136 applications submitted to the state were new.
New Mexico, meanwhile, nearly doubled the number of applications it received, with 42 new ones. That brought the total to 87 applications to serve more than 44,000 unserved locations. The state broadband office said new applications included projects from tribal entities and satellite providers.