Broadband Stakeholders Identified Various Challenges Affecting Broadband Deployment

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has listed expanding affordable, high-quality broadband to every American as an objective in its 20222026 Strategic Plan. However, the combination of standing up new broadband programs and increasing access to broadband is an ongoing, nationwide challenge. The evaluation objective was to identify potential challenges for deploying broadband to underserved and unserved communities. We interviewed NTIA and state and territory broadband office representatives, surveyed broadband offices, and sent questionnaires to industry stakeholder associations. We asked broadband officials and industry stakeholders to identify challenges they face with deploying broadband to underserved and unserved locations. In response, broadband officials and industry stakeholders identified challenges with the following:

1. Statutory Requirements Could Negatively Impact Deployment Efforts: Broadband stakeholders identified statutory timelines to deploy broadband and lengthy permit processes as concerns that could negatively impact the broadband programs’ ability to deploy broadband services.
2. BEAD NOFO Provisions Could Negatively Impact Deployment Efforts: Broadband stakeholders identified the aggressive timeline for subgrantee selections and technology requirements and exclusions as concerns that could negatively impact broadband deployment.
3. Simultaneous, Nationwide Deployment Could Exacerbate Supply Chain and Labor Market: Broadband stakeholders expressed concerns about possible deployment delays due to supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and inadequate broadband office staffing.
4. Broadband Officials Expressed Concerns with NTIA’s Communication Process: Some broadband officials said NTIA’s communication of crucial information pertaining to technical guidance and tools was untimely or inconsistent.