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  2. October 2024

October 2024

Beware these common pitfalls that can bedevil BEAD projects

Procurement, permitting and people. Those are the three Ps to remember if you want to ensure a smooth broadband build. Steven Greene, Technical Program Manager at the Utah Broadband Center, said broadband builders often assume they can readily get the supplies they need for their projects. But without a solid procurement plan in place, shortages can quickly become problematic. That’s especially true of upcoming Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) projects.

‘Last yard’ or ‘10-year slog’? Here's how BEAD is progressing in 4 states

The good news about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program? Shovels could be in the ground in some states as soon as next summer. The bad news? One state official said it likely won’t be able to finish its subgrantee selection process until 2026 and dubbed BEAD a “10-year slog.” Here’s everything you need to know about what officials from Nevada, New York, Massachusetts and North Dakota said about the program:

With BEAD looming, workforce safety remains a big problem

The United States needs way more workers to support the upcoming flurry of federal-funded broadband projects. But the broadband industry’s also got catching up to do with its labor standards. In fact, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is the first federal broadband grant program with “any type of language” concerning labor practice requirements, according to Marcus Chambers, network telecom technician for CWA and state broadband lead for Maryland.

FWA: Long-term play or short-term stopgap? Depends who you ask.

AT&T is ramping up its efforts around fixed wireless (FWA) access this year, but doesn’t seem to have changed its mind that the tech is fundamentally a bridge to better things. However, not everyone shares the view that FWA should be relegated to a stopgap. AT&T AVP Angela Wilkin highlighted AT&T’s efforts to expand its Internet Air consumer FWA product across the parts of 48 states and the operator's introduction of a business version of the tech earlier this year.

AT&T proposes moving CBRS users via incentive auction

AT&T is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to move existing CBRS spectrum users to a different portion of the 3GHz band.

FCC announces six-month waiver to provide discounted phone and broadband service support for Hurricane Milton survivors and future storms

The Federal Communications Commission took action to assist those affected by Hurricane Milton and future hurricanes, typhoons, tropical storms, and tropical cyclones (together, “tropical weather systems”) by temporarily waiving certain Lifeline program eligibility rules to ensure that consumers receiving federal disaster assistance can easily apply for and enroll in the Lifeline program. Hurricane Milton caused significant power and infrastructure disruptions, in addition to property damage in homes, schools, libraries, businesses, and healthcare facilities in impacted areas.

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Alaska and Ohio’s "Internet for All" Initial Proposals

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Alaska and Ohio’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The approval enables Alaska and Ohio to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. This action allows states to request:  

  • Alaska: Over $1 billion
  • Ohio: Over $793 million

Electric co-ops, USF, and rural broadband

At the Connected Oklahoma – Rural Broadband Summit in Oklahoma City, I shared my thoughts on the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Low Earth Orbit satellites. Here's the homework I asked the audience to do:

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