Drawing a BEAD: US states ramp up plans to expand broadband access

Decades after the internet’s debut, millions of Americans still lack access to high-speed broadband service. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) provides $42.45 billion in federal funding to expand high-speed internet service across the country. Five leaders of state BEAD programs shared their perspectives on lessons learned so far and future plans for broadband implementation: Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer, state of Michigan; Amy Grenfell, COO, Wyoming Business Council; Kevin Hughes, administrator, District of Columbia State Broadband and Digital Equity Office; Peter Voderberg, chief, BroadbandOhio; and Elaina Zempel, former broadband manager, Wyoming Business Council. The following are four key takeaways from the discussion:

1. BEAD may represent not the ultimate destination but rather a robust foundation for achieving universal connectivity
2. Each state may approach BEAD differently to account for a range of challenges that could emerge during implementation
3. Stakeholder engagement helps during planning but assumes even greater significance after implementation begins
4. Staying agile is essential throughout the BEAD project—it’s not just a one-time activity