Implementation of the massive federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program is proceeding on pace, but not without anticipated and unanticipated challenges, the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has just disclosed.
Speaking to members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Alan Davidson said the $42 billion program, which is designed to expand high-speed internet access nationally, remains a story of the states.
“We’ve always contemplated from the beginning that states would ultimately adopt a range of technologies and different states would choose a different mix,” said Davidson, who formerly served as the director of digital economy for the Commerce Department.
“It’s going to be fiber first where we can,” explained Davidson, before remarking that from that point on the states are left with the flexibility to do pretty much what they want.
That approach means that the states can aim for service that may include using low-earth satellites, “which can give very good service, and do it more cheaply in remote areas.”
Davidson also emphasized to lawmakers that the BEAD program remains optional: “Nobody is required to be a part of this program,” he remarked.
While noting that the BEAD program is a Washington effort backed by what Davidson called “billions of dollars of federal money,” the emphasis on local control remains paramount. “Different states are going to take different approaches.”
“And we’re giving them the flexibility to do it in different ways,” continued Davidson, adding that his agency was also committed to “giving states the flexibility to set the low-cost option the way they want to.”
Davidson additionally urged lawmakers to increase funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is operated through the Federal Communications Commission and provides subsidies for low-income households to pay for wireless internet connectivity.
That program, disclosed Davidson, is currently helping “more than 22 million households pay for internet service.”
“Congress needs to act now to put ACP on firm financial footing going forward,” Davidson remarked.
“We know that a connection does not mean much if a family cannot afford it,” Davidson said in written remarks earlier submitted to the committee. “We also know that ACP helps network providers make the business case to serve rural and remote communities.”
By Garry Boulard