Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment (BEAD) Program
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Program, funded by the IIJA, is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build infrastructure. In June 2023, NTIA announced allocation amounts for all 56 states and territories. States and territories can use their allocated funds for these eligible uses:
- Planning for the deployment of high-speed internet, including conducting research, collecting data, outreach, and training
- Deploying or upgrading internet infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas, or improving service to community anchor institutions
- Installing internet and Wi-Fi service in multi-unit residential buildings
- Internet access, adoption and use programs
- Workforce readiness programs to meet the needs of the infrastructure programs
- Other activities that increase meaningful use of constructed infrastructure, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary
BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice Released
NTIA has issued a Policy Notice instituting reforms to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Click here for the most up-to-date information on the BEAD program.
Related content
NTIA Hears from the Public on How to Best Use BEAD Savings
It was full steam ahead for the BEAD program this week, as NTIA works to get the program over the finish line and considers its next phase: how to effectively invest the remaining BEAD funds.
On Monday, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth announced that NTIA has now approved 50 out of 56 BEAD Final Proposals from states and territories, moving one step closer to ensuring universal broadband availability across America.
The next day, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, where he detailed the success of the Trump Administration’s Benefit of the Bargain reforms in restoring the BEAD program to its statutory mission of achieving universal connectivity in a technology-neutral, competitive, and disciplined manner, while generating $21 billion in savings for taxpayers.
Secretary Lutnick confirmed that $21 billion in BEAD savings would be spent in accordance with the law and highlighted NTIA’s efforts to gather feedback on how to best use the remaining funds.
NTIA Listening Session on the Use of BEAD Funds Saved Through the Trump Administration's Benefit of the Bargain Reforms
SUMMARY:
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will convene a virtual listening session on the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds saved thanks to the Trump Administration and Secretary Lutnick's Benefit of the Bargain reforms. This session will gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA's future planning and policy development regarding the use of these “nondeployment” funds.