NTIA issues guidance on BEAD funds for alternative Broadband technologies

The NTIA has issued new guidance on the use of BEAD funds for alternative broadband technologies, including unlicensed fixed wireless access (uFWA) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued new guidance on using Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds for alternative technologies, such as unlicensed fixed wireless access (uFWA) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. The guidance is open for public comment until 10 September 2024 and emphasises that while fibre remains the ‘gold standard,’ alternative technologies can help bridge the digital divide when reliable options like coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless are too expensive or unavailable.

The document specifies that BEAD funds cannot be allocated to areas already served by uFWA or LEO services that meet the program’s speed and latency requirements, preventing unnecessary overbuilding. Eligible entities must include one-time installation costs and customer premises equipment in their funding proposals to alleviate consumer financial barriers. Additionally, LEO satellite services are permitted under specific conditions, distinguishing them from ineligible geostationary satellite services.

The Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) has welcomed this clarification, viewing it as a positive step toward flexibility in the BEAD program and addressing concerns about overbuilding in areas already served.