Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
Illinois Broadband Director is a State Broadband Veteran
Illinois Broadband Director Matt Schmit is no newbie, nor is the state’s broadband office. In 2019, Illinois’ $45 billion capital investment plan included $400 million to fund a new broadband program that would be dubbed “Connect Illinois.” That summer, Schmit was recruited from Minnesota to stand up the office that would oversee the grant program and Illinois’ broadband efforts.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/CCG_99.png?itok=yyMPd3PT)
Another BEAD Mapping Mess
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration made a monstrous mess of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program maps when they decided to allow licensed fixed wireless to be counted as reliable broadband. This has a huge ramification for the BEAD grants. It has made maps into hodgepodges of served and unserved homes.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/benton_2_430.png?itok=LIq7OMV-)
New Benton Research Groups To Tackle Critical Broadband Questions
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society announced two new fellowship cohorts for our Marjorie & Charles Benton Opportunity Fund. The Equitable Broadband in Urban America Research Group and the Policies, Plans, and Promises Research Group bring together researchers to work independently, but collaboratively on pressing broadband issues. We are excited about a research group model.
Tarana walks providers through BEAD challenge process
The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is top of mind right now, as states kick off their challenge process to figure out which locations need to be covered by BEAD projects. Tarana Wireless hosted a webinar to address questions for internet service providers.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/benton_2_429.png?itok=B1bQNcW-)
Broadband's Role in Federal Equity Action Plans
Through the implementation of two Executive Orders on equity and President Joe Biden's Investing in America Agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to advance opportunity and make real the promise of America for everyone. In the rural South and dense
Cartesian works with many players on BEAD projects
Cartesian is a Boston-based consulting firm that has become a familiar name in the telecommunications world.
Rural Texans, internet providers worry that federal broadband expansion plan will have a painfully slow rollout
A national coalition—including broadband providers and nonprofit organizations—noted that some recipients nationwide of previous broadband grant programs have failed to use their allocations to build out broadband networks. Texas Rural Funders, a nonprofit dedicated to rural philanthropy, took the lead in collecting signatures from Texans.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/ntca_3.png?itok=k5nYiDu1)
Commerce Secretary to NTCA Members: Prepare to Compete and Win BEAD Funding
During the opening of the 2024 RTIME, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo encouraged small, community-based broadband providers to pursue Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program grants, telling NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield in a recorded fireside chat that the agency will continue to work to help address administrative burdens, supply chain constraints and workforce challenges.
NTCA CEO Sees Congress in “Disarray”: Providers Should Remind Them What They Need to Get Done
Congress is “in disarray right now,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, in an address at NTCA’s annual RTIME conference in Tampa. Bloomfield urged NTCA’s members attending the conference to remind their elected officials that “It’s not about who’s winning and who’s losing; it’s about getting things done.” Bloomfield pointed to several open issues facing Congress that will impact rural providers and their communities.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/kansasbroadband.png?itok=Mz9MdYxo)
Surviving the Challenge Process
With BEAD Initial Proposals submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for review, state broadband offices (SBOs) are turning their focus to the next step in unlocking IIJA broadband funds—the Challenge Process. On a recent Broadband Breakfast webinar, I had the chance to join other SBO leaders to discuss our states’ processes.