Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Eric Frederick joined the state of Michigan to lead the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office in July 2022 after spending 12 years at a non-profit that was trying to expand broadband across the country. Since then, the office has expanded and now has two verticals—the digital equity team and the infrastructure data team.

On April 22, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration officially delayed the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program in a notice attributed to the “Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information” (a position currently held by an acting official).

Former Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Director Evan Feinman talks about the turmoil brewing inside the BEAD program. What’s really behind the push for more satellite connectivity, the threat of sidelining state-led fiber projects, and the political forces stalling progress? Are we about to squander a once-in-a-generation opportunity? 

West Virginia’s final proposal for use of millions in federal broadband funding remains on pause as state officials review that plan and brace for changes to the program under President Trump, but there is concern that the program will favor satellite over fiber broadband. The Grant County Commission recently wrote a letter to Gov.

NextLight, a community-owned fiber service provider in Longmont (CO), says its Internet Assistance Program—a substitute for the Affordable Connectivity Program—has experienced a 14 percent increase in subscribers in the year since its introduction. The IAP is an effort to provide broadband to economically challenged households. It was introduced in April 2024 as the ACP was about to be terminated. The service provides a $25 discount to qualifying households.

The state of Oregon has opened its application window for broadband service providers and other entities applying for grants under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. The program is being administered in the state by the Oregon Broadband Office. Oregon has $689 million to award for eligible projects, defined as qualifying last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved (25/3 Mbps or less) and underserved (between 25/3 and 100/20 Mbps) locations. A 25% match is required of projects. The application cycle will close on May 22 at 5 p.m. 

Republicans haven't passed up many opportunities to criticize the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program for its slow rollout over the past few years. Now they're adding on another 90 days of delays. In a notice sent to state broadband offices, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration gave states a blanket 90-day extension to submit their final proposals for BEAD money.

Vermont Community Broadband Board has completed taking in applications for Vermont’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. BEAD is a federal program that provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all states and territories. Vermont’s allocation of those funds is almost $229 million. That money will be used to serve all the unserved and underserved locations in the state.

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute has announced that the reduction of underserved or unserved broadband serviceable locations that will result from the strong response to Gap Networks Grant Program and Round 1 of their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program solicitations has led to the cancellation of the Round 2 solicitation.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program rules require states to submit a Final Proposal no later than twelve months after the date upon which the Assistant Secretary approves the Eligible Entity’s Initial Proposal. The rules also allow the Assistant Secretary may grant a waiver for Final Proposal deadlines in extraordinary circumstances.