- NTIA chief Alan Davidson told Fiber Connect audience that the org will put out a proposed document that lets states use alternate technologies for BEAD projects
- Fiber is still preferred but unlicensed spectrum is one of the alternate technologies
- Davidson also noted that 26 states have had their BEAD plans publicly approved
FIBER CONNECT, NASHVILLE — Alan Davidson, Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), kicked off today’s opening session at the Fiber Broadband Association’s annual convention. He told an audience of about 5,000 attendees that the agency is going to put out a guidelines document in a couple of weeks that will outline the use of alternate technologies in Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) projects.
Of course, NTIA stated from the beginning that fiber is its preferred technology for BEAD projects. But in cases where that isn’t economical, other technologies such as licensed wireless or coaxial cable may be approved for BEAD funds. Today, Davidson said, “In some circumstances states might even be able to use unlicensed wireless.”
He told the audience to “standby” and be on the lookout for NTIA’s guidelines and be ready to make comments.
“We are not going to get tens of billions of dollars to build out our infrastructure again,” he said. “There will be places we know that are incredibly difficult to reach, where other technologies will be used.”
Davidson gave a quick update on the status of BEAD, saying 26 states have had their BEAD plans publicly approved, and the NTIA’s cadence of approving plans has increased the last couple of weeks. It’s on track to approve all state plans by the fall.
There has been some grumbling among Republicans that BEAD isn’t moving fast enough, but Davidson said, “We, too, are very eager to get money out into the hands of states. But before we write a big check to a state, we need to know how they’re going to spend that money.”
Forty-four states are in the midst of their mapping challenge processes right now. And after that, the BEAD program will move into the sub-grantee process.
Davidson was asked how BEAD might be affected by the outcome of the presidential election, and he said, “I’m not allowed to comment on this election at all.” But he said he feels very confident about the future of BEAD because it was a bipartisan program from the beginning and continues to have bipartisan support. “Everywhere I go in this country people are excited about getting better internet.”
Digital Equity Act funding availability
Despite more grumbling about digital equity requirements from Republicans, last week, NTIA announced the availability of about $900 million to fund the first part of the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program.
Davidson said BEAD is not just a story about access. “Our ultimate goal is for people to thrive. We want people to use the internet. It starts with access. But also do people have the devices, do they have the skills, do they know what to do when they get online? For a lot of communities that’s been a real issue.”
The Digital Equity Act funding covers populations that include the elderly, veterans, disabled people, minority groups and rural communities. Applications for the Digital Equity funds are due by September 23, and NTIA expects to begin making awards by winter of 2024 on a rolling basis.
Finally, Davidson talked a bit about the challenge to find talented people to build the BEAD projects. He said, “It’s been an issue since the time I started. There are over 100,000 jobs that need to get filled.”
NTIA is encouraging states to use some of their funding for workforce training. “Next year, BEAD deployments will be happening, and we will need that workforce.
In conclusion, he gave a rallying cry of encouragement, saying, “It’s an historic moment. We will look back in 10 years or 20 years from now, and we will say ‘this was the moment that our country stepped up and finally did what it needed to do to connect everyone.’”
Read more from Fiber Connect 2024 here.