The NTIA is giving states an extra 90 days to submit their final BEAD funding plans under the agency’s $42.45 billion broadband grant program. In a Notice of a Programmatic Waiver, NTIA reiterated its undertaking a “detailed review” of BEAD, to remove “unnecessary rules and mandates, to improve efficiency and take a more technology-neutral approach.”
It’s also hoping “to cut unnecessary red tape and streamline deployment.” In anticipation of these forthcoming programmatic changes and to “ensure” states and territories have sufficient time to implement them, NTIA is granting the extension to all “eligible entities.” NTIA is expected to issue new guidance next month, according to Broadband Breakfast.
Inside Towers reported new Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wants to scale back BEAD’s fiber preference. During her nomination hearing before the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee, Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked Arielle Roth if she’d commit to removing these “extraneous requirements,” Inside Towers reported. Roth said, “Yes, I want BEAD to be a success. I want to connect every American remaining [who doesn’t have] high-speed internet access. I’m committed to delivering on this goal.”
It’s not clear how intense the changes will be or if they will require states to re-work their applications, notes Broadband Breakfast. NTIA says the changes will require states to spend more time finalizing their lists of chosen projects. Those were originally due to NTIA for approval one year after a state’s initial plan for operating the program was approved.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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