All States, Territories Sign on to NTIA BEAD, Digital Equity Programs

Every state and territory applied for NTIA’s digital equity planning grant program, the agency announced Wednesday (see 2206160072). NTIA received letters of intent from "hundreds of tribal nations" to participate in the digital equity program. All states and territories also submitted a letter of intent for the $42.45 billion broadband, equity, access and deployment program by the July 18 deadline, NTIA said. Iowa and Florida were the last two states to sign on, per a tweet from NTIA Tuesday.

"I applaud America’s state and territory leaders who took these important first steps toward bringing equitable access to high-speed internet to the people they serve," said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Today America’s state and local leaders have spoken as one nation committed to bridging the digital divide,” said NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "This is a big deal [and] shows a seismic shift in attitudes," tweeted NTIA Special Representative for Broadband Andy Berke: "A few years ago, we saw little movement on internet as baseline infrastructure, [and] digital equity was a little known concept." The agency said it plans to announce the allocations for the $60 million digital equity program by Sept. 29.

The Fiber Broadband Association “applauds NTIA for achieving 100% participation from all 56 states and territories that are eligible in the BEAD and digital equity planning grant programs," emailed CEO Gary Bolton. NTIA is “developing a track record of execution ahead of their deadlines, as evidenced by issuing the [notices of funding opportunity] ahead of schedule and gaining full participation well in advance of the deadline,” Bolton said.

NTCA is "delighted to see that every state and territory has now confirmed interest in participating in the new broadband programs," said Senior Vice President-Industry Affairs Michael Romano.

“Cable broadband providers are committed to be part of the solution of connecting every American to broadband and have the experience and expertise to get the job done,” emailed an NCTA spokesperson.

“USTelecom members are pleased that all states and territories are taking advantage of this once in a generation opportunity to connect all Americans to the power of broadband," said Lynn Follansbee, vice president-strategic initiatives and partnerships. Wednesday's announcement "demonstrates a common understanding by the federal and state governments, irrespective of political leaning, of the importance of ensuring all Americans have access and can subscribe to robust, reliable broadband service," said ACA Connects CEO Grant Spellmeyer.

“Solving the challenge of building broadband to every location in this country is going to require funding from multiple public and private sources,” said South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Chris Nelson, who led NARUC’s broadband task force. South Dakota “is hopeful that the [BEAD] program requirements can be made to work with [and] not against private sector involvement.”

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding will be the largest amount of money ever to come through Utah’s broadband office, said Utah Broadband Center Director Rebecca Dilg at a partially virtual Broadband Breakfast event Wednesday: The funding will be key to filling Utah’s coverage “doughnut holes.” The large amount of money comes with many requirements, noted Utah Education Network Director-Strategic Initiatives Kelleigh Cole. No money came into Utah while she was the state’s previous broadband director, she said. “We will use it well. We figured out how to do things with not very much.” Utah’s broadband map, updated twice a year, put the state in a strong position, she added.

NTIA’s announcement “confirms what we have been hearing from our members since the start of the pandemic,” said progressive nonprofit NewDEAL Forum CEO Debbie Bultan: “There is unprecedented momentum and bipartisan will to address the digital divide across the country.” Raimondo and NTIA deserve credit for their outreach and communication with states, said Bultan.

“This shows how important broadband access and equity are, especially as digital services continue to expand,” said a National Association of State Chief Information Officers spokesperson.