Opinion: BEAD is failing rural America. Let’s fix it now.
Rural America continues to wait for the high-speed internet promised by the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. Despite $42 billion in federal funding, the current implementation of the BEAD program faces significant hurdles that threaten to leave communities behind. Shifting guidelines and late rule changes have introduced uncertainty, causing some providers to abandon projects altogether. When rules change mid-process, it creates a difficult environment for those tasked with building critical infrastructure in the most expensive-to-reach areas of the country.
A central issue is the focus on lowest-cost solutions over durable, long-term fiber infrastructure. While budget consciousness is important, prioritizing cheap technology now risks leaving rural areas with outdated systems within a few years. These communities require high-performance networks capable of scaling to meet future demands, rather than temporary fixes that will necessitate additional investment soon. Furthermore, new mandates regarding pole attachment rates have created legal and financial barriers that conflict with existing federal policies, prompting electric cooperatives to step away from the program.
The consequences of these policy missteps are visible today. Some projects remain unfeasible due to unrealistic funding assumptions, while other areas lack bidders entirely. We need a shift toward a technology-neutral framework that values long-term performance and aligns funding levels with the actual costs of rural deployment. Stability in the rulebook is essential to bring participants back to the table and ensure the program fulfills its core mission.
Looking ahead, the remaining $21 billion in BEAD non-deployment funds offers a pathway for correction. By prioritizing streamlined permitting processes, middle-mile infrastructure, and pole replacement support, states can remove the bottlenecks currently stifling construction. Modernizing these systems will reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of reliable internet to schools, hospitals, and homes. The stakes for rural economic health are high, and meaningful reform is the only way to prevent a new digital divide from taking hold.