What the NTIA's Requirements for $42.5 Billion in BEAD Funding Say About Digital Equity

This is the third in a four-part series about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) digital equity and broadband grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcements from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has identified how the BEAD Program will intersect with the Digital Equity Act Program and how the two complement each other:

1. BEAD Program five-year action plans must contain the state’s digital equity plan.
2. The BEAD Program addresses broadband affordability through the requirement of low-cost plans and encouragement and a middle-class affordability plan.
3. All Eligible Entities are required to ensure that services offered over any broadband network deployed and/or upgraded with BEAD Program funds allow subscribers to utilize the Affordable Connectivity Program.
4. Robust stakeholder engagement is required throughout the entire BEAD Program.
5. BEAD Funds can be used to extend access in multi-tenant buildings.
6. NTIA interpreted Congress’ outline of the eligible use of funds as a prioritization of funds.

[Amy Huffman is policy director for NDIA.]