State Legislators Advocate for Optional Changes in Broadband Equity Program

A group of 115 state legislators from 28 states is advocating for optional changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. They emphasize the importance of state autonomy in broadband deployment, especially amid potential funding shifts towards satellite services like Starlink. The legislators highlight the success of fiber optics in providing reliable, high-speed internet and call for states to have the freedom to choose the best technological solutions for their communities.

A coalition of 115 state legislators from 28 states has urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to make any changes to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program optional rather than mandatory. This plea follows the resignation of BEAD's top director, who criticized a potential shift in funding towards Elon Musk's Starlink, which could see its allocation rise significantly from $4.1 billion to as much as $20 billion. Critics argue that this shift could undermine the program's original goals.

The BEAD initiative, a $42.5 billion broadband infrastructure investment launched in 2021, has faced criticism for its sluggish rollout. Over three years since its inception, no homes have been connected, largely due to inadequate mapping by the FCC, which states had to rectify. Missouri State Representative Louis Riggs emphasized the importance of allowing states to determine their technological paths without federal interference, highlighting the success of competitive bidding processes in achieving near-universal coverage in states like Louisiana.

Fiber optics, regarded as the gold standard for broadband, offer superior speeds and reliability compared to satellite services like Starlink. Recent data shows fiber providers like AT&T delivering average speeds of 361Mbps, significantly higher than Starlink's 79Mbps. An analysis revealed that fiber is more cost-effective over 30 years, saving approximately $4 billion and reducing user costs by $15,600 compared to satellite.

The bipartisan letter from state legislators underscores the need for states to have autonomy in the deployment of BEAD funds. The message is clear: states should be empowered to choose the best technological solutions for their communities, ensuring efficient and effective broadband expansion.