Pew: Public accountability is the way for timely BEAD rollout

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is inching closer to execution with 42 states now approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). But once the money finally rolls out, public accountability will be critical to ensure the work gets done on time, said Kathryn de Wit, director of Pew Charitable Trusts’ Broadband Access Initiative. Per BEAD guidance, subgrantees must finish their projects within four years of receiving funds. “In order for that four-year deadline to be met, everything has to work in sequence and be on time,” said de Wit. “So we need to make sure that states, the private sector, communities are working at the table with federal partners and NTIA to say this is what’s working, this is what’s not working.” Given that BEAD was essentially pushed back by a year due to restructuring, many in the industry want the program to proceed without further delays. “I think the more public attention and accountability we can draw to some of these procedural barriers or procedural delays…the better off we’ll be,” said de Wit.