Decline in BEAD Eligibility Shows Growth
From 2022 to now, the shift towards digital reliance has continued to grow. There has been a major expansion in 5G, breakthroughs in quantum and edge computing, and AI is no longer a futuristic dream but an everyday reality being integrated across gadgets and digital systems alike.
Adding additional excitement is the decline in BEAD eligibility, meaning many who were once left in the digital dark are seeing the widening availability of resources, essential services, and opportunities as telecommunications and connectivity infrastructures are being built and strengthened in underserved and unserved communities.
BEAD in a Nutshell
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, known as BEAD, is a federal program aimed at expanding high-speed internet access across all US states and territories. The program was implemented in 2022 with $42.45 billion in funding to restructure and build broadband services, closing the digital divide for all Americans regardless of location.
What the Reports Show
A significant decrease in BEAD-eligible locations has been released in a report from the Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute (ACLP) at New York Law School. The report details a 59% decline in BEAD eligibility since 2023, with states such as New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina having over an 80% decline in need. The ACLP’s report, which analyzed and compared states’ challenge processes against the FCC’s National Broadband Map and the FCC’s data, shines a light on the continued investment by ISPs and additional grants working to close the digital divide.
Overall Industry Investment Drives Progress
Industry investments, such as the Broadband Infrastructure Program, a BEAD subdivision, have been a main driver accelerating expansion to underserved and unserved areas. These investments have boosted the domestic manufacturing and deployment of fiber broadband while also ensuring that such projects are efficiently completed at scale.
Other program investments also funnel money to specific high-need areas such as tribal lands, minority communities, and academic institutions that provide internet not only to their students and faculty, but also to their surrounding areas.
BEAD’s Success Is Also Ushering in Success for American-Made Fiber
An obvious success story for BEAD is its role in bringing as many Americans as possible into the current digital landscape, providing a level playing field regardless of location or economic status. A less obvious side effect is the surge in manufacturing.
Thanks to BEAD initiatives, more than $650 million has been invested in US-based fiber manufacturing facilities since 2021. The resurgence of fiber manufacturing has led to the creation of about 5,600 new jobs, with plans for new manufacturing facilities to be built or added to within the next few years. As communities expand their fiber footprint, the surge in new jobs and training will have major benefits as well, proving BEAD’s win-win initiatives.
Closing the Gaps
The decline in BEAD eligibility has signaled current success, but it has not been without some challenges. Whereas BEAD has strict fiber-first stipulations, this is not a sustainable option for all regions in the US. Fiber connectivity within states with geographically isolated areas and rugged terrain has proven expensive and at times impractical, which in turn could monopolize a state’s funding.
Several state leaders and federal lawmakers are working to combat this roadblock by pushing for the ability to seek alternative technologies, such as LEO satellites and fixed wireless connections, with BEAD funding where it makes sense. The ACLP has also chimed in, recommending that excess BEAD funds be allocated to states that would require additional assistance in achieving 100% broadband availability.
Conclusion: A Decline in BEAD Eligibility, A Rise in Equity
Access to reliable, high-speed broadband infrastructure means the US is getting closer to achieving universal digital access, and the decline in BEAD eligibility is a clear marker of such progress. Through continued investment, strategic coordination, and a strengthening of domestic manufacturing, BEAD is proving that the digital divide can be bridged and will provide a more equitable playing field to all Americans.
As the telecommunications infrastructure continues to expand, GeoTel can provide valuable fiber maps and telecommunications location-based data that can assist in accelerating broadband deployment and support the ongoing effort to close the digital divide. Contact GeoTel’s specialists today to gain access to these valuable insights.
