NTIA Seeks Comment on BEAD Challenge Process

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is proposing to issue 1) a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Challenge Process Policy Notice to provide Eligible Entities with additional guidance on how to design and conduct their BEAD challenge process and 2) A BEAD Model Challenge Process to provide Eligible Entities. Under the BEAD challenge process, a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or broadband service provider may challenge a determination made by a State in the Initial Proposal as to whether a particular location or community anchor institution is eligible for BEAD funds, including whether a particular location is unserved or underserved. Public comments due are on May 5, 2023.