BEAD Program Director Addresses Its Progress and Future

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is underway and on track, and the 10-year initiative is expected to continue as planned when a new presidential administration takes over the White House in January. Experts argue the new administration will not impact the program’s continuation, but a technology-neutral focus may shape its future. According to BEAD Program Director Evan Feinman, the program has seen a lot of progress in 2024. Chiefly, it supported 56 states and territories in their work to design detailed plans unique to their own goals, as well as policies to connect constituents. That milestone was met in April, and by November, all states and territories saw their initial proposals approved. With these steps accomplished, Feinman said, the program will begin to move from planning into implementation. Then, because it is a state-led program, the next phases will look different in different states. Some states like Louisiana and Nevada will have shovels in the ground in a matter of months.