The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) yesterday (November 18) approved 18 of the final proposals for the much-delayed Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

It follows years of delays and a restructuring of the $42.5bn program by the Trump Administration earlier this summer.

The aim of the program is to provide universal broadband access for Americans across the country.

BEAD, which was set up by the Biden administration and confirmed by Congress in November 2021, has been implemented by the NTIA. The federal grant program was designed to fund projects dedicated to providing Internet infrastructure in unserved locations across the US and its territories.

Initially set up to prioritize fiber over alternative technologies such as satellite Internet, President Trump reworked the program earlier this year, as part of efforts to consider other technologies.

But the program has faced delays in approving proposals on a state-by-state basis, with some critical of the direction of BEAD under the current administration.

Notably, back in March, Evan Feinman departed from his role as the director of BEAD after failing to be re-appointed. At the time, he warned that rural America could be left behind if satellite-based alternatives are prioritized over fiber broadband.

In September, during SCTE TechExpo, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez was also critical of the direction of the program, calling it a "race to the bottom."

Saving billions

According to the NTIA, the 18 final proposals approved yesterday will save approximately $6 billion.

"We are delivering the Benefit of the Bargain through the BEAD program that best serves the interests of the American people," said US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. "After stripping away burdensome rules and regulations and wasteful requirements, taxpayers will save billions in unnecessary costs while connecting those in need to high-speed broadband through the full spectrum of broadband technologies."

The states and territories to gain approval include Louisiana, Wyoming, Iowa, American Samoa, Georgia, Arkansas, Delaware, Guam, Maine, New Hampshire, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, South Carolina, North Dakota, Hawaii, Montana, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

Beyond this, Louisiana has signed its award amendment, meaning that the state is able to access BEAD funds to begin delivering broadband to its constituents.

In total, 53 of the 56 states and territories have submitted final proposals. The NTIA claims that total savings are now estimated to be at least $21 billion, with that number expected to increase with the submission of the remaining final proposals.