State Broadband Officials Gear Up for Map Challenges as Some Still Concerned About Resources

As US states and territories put the final touches on Initial Proposals outlining how they will utilize funding for broadband expansion through the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, state broadband offices are gearing up for what is expected to be a months-long challenge process ahead, said panelists at the Digital Infrastructure Investment Summit 2023. While each of the 56 states and territories may determine their own preferred approach, each challenge process is required to include the following four phases: (1) publication of locations deemed eligible for BEAD funding; (2) a challenge process in which a unit of local government, a nonprofit organization, or a broadband service provider may submit refuting evidence; (3) the challenged service provider may rebut the reclassification of a location with evidence; and (4) states and territories determine of the final classification of the location. The panelists voiced concern over the vast range in different communities’ current understanding of the BEAD program, stating that broadband offices should err on the side of over communication with communities as they advance toward their challenge processes. Looking ahead, the panel agreed that BEAD will not connect 100 percent of the unserved, and called for the creation of a sub-grant program to reach universal connectivity.