States are in the driver's seat as the BEAD program finally gains momentum

The largest-ever federal broadband expansion program—Broadband Equity, Access and Development or BEAD—was passed in November 2021 but is only now really starting to hit its stride. No one has been connected to broadband by BEAD, nor have any BEAD funds been awarded to any internet service provider (ISP) for expansion purposes. But they will come soon. State broadband offices are now in the driver’s seat, and some of them are moving forward strongly, executing the plans they announced in their Initial Proposals, receiving and evaluating and accepting and negotiating about applied projects, and blazing a trail for others to follow.