Fibre optics urged as a priority in BEAD programme, say NTCA and ACA Connects

Their objective is to ensure robust, enduring, high-speed internet access, especially for underserved and rural communities.
Fibre cable connected to patch. Telecommunication concept.

NTCA (The Rural Broadband Association) and ACA Connects strongly advocate for the NTIA to prioritise fibre deployment in the BEAD Program, asserting that fibre is the most reliable and scalable technology to meet the evolving connectivity needs of households and businesses in the US. They argue that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and BEAD’s Notice of Funding Opportunity have already established fibre as the preferred broadband infrastructure, given its long-term durability and capacity to support future demand.

Moreover, NTCA & ACA Connects have recommended that NTIA seek further consultation on integrating low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites into the program. They express concerns that LEO systems, with their shared capacity across multiple jurisdictions, may undermine the IIJA’s focus on infrastructure investment. Therefore, they propose that NTIA carefully explore LEO satellite technology’s long-term viability and cost implications before allocating BEAD funding to such projects.

In addition, NTCA & ACA Connects believe that alternative technologies, such as unlicensed spectrum and LEO satellites, should only be considered as a last resort, particularly in cases where deploying fibre or other reliable broadband solutions is not economically feasible. They stress that these non-reliable technologies should be deployed solely in the hardest-to-reach areas, ensuring that fibre remains the primary solution in most cases.

By doing so, NTCA & ACA Connects aim to guarantee that Americans, especially in underserved regions, have access to robust and enduring high-speed internet. Furthermore, they emphasise that NTIA’s broadband strategy should focus on delivering long-term connectivity benefits to rural and remote communities. By concentrating on fibre as the core technology and carefully scrutinising the use of alternatives, they believe the BEAD Program can effectively bridge the digital divide and provide sustainable, high-quality internet access for all Americans.