The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released new guidance for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This guidance is aimed at ensuring that requested funds will be disbursed within this calendar year, provided state proposals are technologically neutral and use funds efficiently. The new directive removes several mandates from the previous administration, which included technology bias, rate regulation, and DEI labor requirements.
Senator Cruz expressed his support for these changes, stating: “As I warned more than two years ago in my Red Light Report, the Biden administration’s technology bias and burdensome requirements would drive up costs and stall broadband buildout.” He criticized previous mandates as hindrances to providing faster Internet to Americans.
Cruz praised Secretary Lutnick and the Trump administration for redirecting BEAD’s focus on connecting Americans to the Internet effectively. He noted: “This guidance prioritizes value, ensuring that the American taxpayer isn’t on the hook for excessive Biden-era rules.”
The BEAD program was initially signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). However, nearly four years later, it has yet to connect any Americans to high-speed Internet. Earlier efforts by NTIA were criticized for imposing costly mandates that delayed deployment.
In early 2023, Senator Cruz highlighted issues with inaccurate maps used by NTIA in administering BEAD. His Red Light Report recommended reforms that align with those now introduced by NTIA.
Senator Cruz also pointed out last year’s lack of accountability in administering BEAD under Biden’s leadership. He further criticized attempts to exclude satellite providers from the program through distorted Census data.
