AT&T execs stress importance of BEAD geographic areas

In response to claims that Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding wouldn't amount to much, Jeff Luong, VP of Network Engineering at AT&T said that the combination of public funds in addition to private investments will be a lot of money that will allow for “the industry, and us as a country, to expand connectivity.” Asked what he would recommend to states that are trying to figure out the best solution, Luong said, “The best way for states to approach that challenge is to create a process, a system that encourages as many providers to participate as possible. The more carriers that participate in the program the more areas will be proposed. The whole process is: the carriers get to propose their location, but ultimately it is the state that helps define what areas they will allocate the funding for. And it’s a negotiation process.” Luong cited a recently completed project in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, as an example of a successful public/private partnership. AT&T worked with Vanderburgh County to deliver fiber broadband to 20,000 residents in a largely rural, farming area. For the project Vanderburgh County used $9.9 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and AT&T covered the remaining $29.7 million. Luong said the example shows that if governments allow some negotiation, that results in the best outcome, “rather than drawing boxes on a map without a clear understanding of where different carriers have assets.”