Overview

• On June 6, NTIA issued a policy notice overhauling the $42.45 billion BEAD program, rescinding all existing grants and mandating a fresh round of state applications.
• The updated guidance adopts a technology-neutral model that allows any broadband solution meeting federal performance benchmarks to qualify for priority funding.
• Regulatory requirements for union labor preferences, climate compliance, workforce diversity and local hiring have been eliminated to streamline state management.
• States must complete their new application processes within 90 days to stay on track for full distribution of BEAD funds by the end of 2025, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
• Private broadband providers have independently reduced unserved or underserved locations by 59 percent since June 2023 using other government subsidies.