The atmosphere at the Mountain Connect conference in Denver this year differed significantly from the previous year, with many participants expressing feelings of fatigue regarding the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, commonly known as BEAD.
This federal initiative consists of a substantial $42.5 billion investment aimed at providing funding to states to ensure high-speed internet access for every American household.
However, what was once enthusiasm has transformed into frustration following a major turning point on June 6.
The Trump administration altered the rules governing the program, prompting states to restart their efforts after years of planning and strategizing.
As a result, broadband officials like Bree Maki, executive director of the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, have described their experiences as exhausting, reflecting a collective sentiment of having a ‘BEAD hangover’ after years of preparation.
Under the revised rules, fiber internet—which is often viewed as the fastest and most future-proof option—was deprioritized in favor of wireless and satellite technologies, provided they meet specific bandwidth requirements.
Funding is now focused primarily on infrastructure development, leaving many households in limbo as they await long-promised broadband access.
Peter Voderberg, chief of BroadbandOhio, criticized this shift, highlighting the irony of providing suboptimal services to underserved regions, which have faced years of neglect.
Some states like Nevada and Louisiana had progressed significantly in the BEAD process, publicly announcing contracts with internet providers for fiber installations before having to restart their applications in light of the new federal rules.
Brian Mitchell, Nevada’s state broadband officer, emphasized the importance of moving quickly to attract talent and workforce to build networks in the state.
Glen Howie, Arkansas’ state broadband director, expressed similar concerns as their state reached the final stages of the process before the rule changes were announced.
As a result of the revisions, states like Colorado had to rescind earlier awards to internet providers and allow for a re-application period.
During this period, some original applicants dropped out, but new providers emerged, leading to a significant shift in the technology landscape.
Paul Colasuonno, associate project manager for Ditesco, noted that many applicants opted for mixed technology solutions to lower overall costs, with nearly 60% of new applications coming from wireless and satellite providers compared to 60% fiber in the previous round.
Despite the hurdles, Brandy Reitter, executive director of the Colorado Broadband Office, remarked that the state is on track to meet a September 4 deadline for final submissions to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Originally, when Congress approved the large funding pool in 2021, states had high hopes for connecting previously ignored households.
However, the new technical requirements have led to a more varied approach among the states, reflecting a hybrid model of internet connectivity that could mix fiber, wireless, and satellite technologies.
Eric Frederick, Michigan’s chief connectivity officer, highlighted the importance of cost management in determining which technology suits various locations.
For instance, some areas, such as Isle Royale National Park, might not realistically receive fiber connections due to the high costs involved.
Conversely, many at the conference expressed optimism about the wireless opportunities created by the program’s changes.
Steve Schwerbel, a state advocacy manager for the Association for Broadband without Boundaries, stated that this shift provides wireless providers with a chance to retain their existing customer bases and prevent competitors from overbuilding their territories.
Meanwhile, satellite internet technology, a topic of much discussion at the previous year’s conference, received far less attention this time around.
Last year, Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, served as the keynote speaker, and Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, was a prominent presence.
However, Starlink’s absence in this year’s discussions raised eyebrows, even as the service is widely available in Colorado.
Though Starlink did resubmit applications to Colorado’s revised BEAD process, it did not participate in the initial rounds.
Jeff Gavlinski, CEO of Mountain Connect, raised concerns about the program’s approach to funding, particularly in light of critics who argue that solely focusing on low-cost solutions could repeat mistakes from previous funding initiatives like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
In response, Brooke Donilon, chief of staff at the NTIA, assured participants that past lessons learned are being applied to ensure that all bids are evaluated fairly and that technology diversity puts competitive pressure on the process.
Donilon emphasized the positive feedback they are getting from companies that are switching their bids from a fiber-only approach to include alternative technologies.
Amidst the challenges, Amazon’s Project Kuiper was also represented at the conference, and Chris Cook, legal compliance lead for the initiative, discussed the company’s mission of bridging the connectivity gap in underserved regions.
Cook revealed that Amazon plans to launch an ambitious satellite constellation comprising 3,200 satellites aimed at providing global internet coverage.
With ongoing developments, including additional satellite launches, Cook emphasized Amazon’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and access to education across the globe.
As the BEAD program continues to evolve, the conversations at Mountain Connect reflect a pivotal moment for the broadband industry in addressing connectivity gaps nationwide, balancing technology choices, cost considerations, and social responsibilities.
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