Fiber-first remains the right choice for America

The future of America’s broadband is at a crossroads. Commerce Secretary Lutnick recently stated that the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is in “dire need of a readjustment.” With his call for a “tech-neutral” approach, all signs point to a shift away from fiber and towards satellite. Indeed, the Wall Street Journal estimates as much as $10-20 billion in BEAD funding could be redirected from fiber deployments toward Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers like Starlink. States across the county have already developed plans to meet the needs of residents and businesses using the mix of technologies that will bring the fastest, most robust service at the best long-term value for taxpayers. In Louisiana (which is waiting for the greenlight to move forward) the composition is 95 percent fiber, 3 percent wireless/cable, and 2 percent satellite. If forced to go back to the drawing board, states could be delayed by a year plus and we risk passing on a generational opportunity to equip rural communities with broadband fit for the future.