NTIA Administrator Roth, Governor Pillen Applaud Nebraska’s First BEAD-Funded Household Connection
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce joined the Nebraska Governor’s Office in announcing that the first Nebraska household has been connected to broadband through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, one of the first BEAD-funded connections in the country.
“Congratulations to Nebraska on this impressive accomplishment and for demonstrating what an efficient, technology-neutral BEAD program can achieve,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “Thanks to the Trump Administration’s course correction of the BEAD program and Nebraska’s strong leadership and hard work, we are accelerating broadband availability and delivering on BEAD’s mission. Congratulations to Vistabeam, Governor Pillen, the Nebraska Broadband Office, Senator Fischer, and Nebraska’s congressional delegation on this important milestone for the people of Nebraska.”
“This is a tremendous victory for Nebraska,” said Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. “Reliable broadband is essential for daily life, from schoolwork and healthcare to running a business or managing a farm. With this connection, Nebraskans have proof that the Trump Administration’s Benefit of the Bargain 'Turbocharges Speed and Savings.' The Broadband Office is dedicated to delivering a practical and responsible network under BEAD that serve Nebraska’s needs today and for many years to come.”
Administrator Roth and Governor Pillen made the announcement today from Ogallala, where they visited the home connected by BEAD and observed firsthand the fixed wireless tower providing broadband service. Today’s announcement further underscores the impact of the Trump Administration’s Benefit of Bargain reforms, which enabled states like Nebraska to accelerate broadband deployment by leveraging a diverse mix of technologies, including fixed wireless, consistent with the law. Congress established the BEAD program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, with Senator Fischer playing a leading role on broadband accountability and mapping provisions. Nebraska’s final BEAD proposal was approved in November of 2025.
“This is a result of years of hard work to get our rural communities online. This day and age, a broadband connection isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for everything from emergency services to small businesses,” said U.S. Senator Deb Fischer. “I am proud to have fought to get this program on its feet, and this milestone underscores the urgency of getting the rest of Nebraska’s BEAD funds allocated. I thank NTIA and the state for their work in making this happen and look forward to getting all of Nebraska connected.”
"This is a major step forward for connectivity in Nebraska, and this is just the start," said Patrick Redmond, Deputy Director of the Nebraska Broadband Office. "We appreciate all our partners that helped make this happen, and the support from Governor Pillen to make Nebraska a leader in this space. This milestone highlights our mission to expand broadband access statewide, and we look forward to continuing our momentum toward that goal."
“This is what success looks like,” said Matt Larsen, owner of service provider Vistabeam. “BEAD was created to connect unserved and underserved people, and today we’re showing that with the right tools and a capable team, connection can happen in a matter of days.”