NTIA Seeks Comment on Proposed BEAD Alternative Tech Guidance

NTIA sought comment Monday on proposed guidance about entities participating in the broadband, equity, access and deployment program using alternative technologies (see 2205130054). Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 10 and should be sent to BEAD@NTIA.gov. "Connecting everyone in America will require a variety of technologies," BEAD Program Director Evan Feinman wrote in a blog. Fiber is "the gold standard," but where it's not "economically feasible, states and territories have other options."

"Different states and territories may choose different approaches to the mix of technology used to connect everyone," Feinman said. The draft guidance "provides guardrails for where states and territories may deploy alternative broadband technologies" and "details how funding can be used to support alternative technology projects," he said: "This will ensure we direct limited BEAD funding to where it is needed most."

The draft guidance proposes prohibiting using BEAD funds to deploy another alternative technology project if an area is already served by an unlicensed fixed wireless access (uFWA) provider or low-earth orbit satellites (LEOs) and meets BEAD speed and latency requirements. If adopted, states would be required to "review existing alternative technology deployments and commitments to deploy alternative technology in the future." The draft also proposes requiring that states and territories ensure any necessary equipment for such services is "affordable to consumers." Additionally, the agency wants input on compliance mechanisms regarding BEAD obligations for LEO capacity subgrants and "alternative reimbursement structures for LEO capacity subgrants."

The request for comment signals NTIA's increasing interest in fixed wireless and potentially satellite for broadband delivery, Daniel Lightfoot, senior intergovernmental relations representative, League of Minnesota Cities, said Monday at NATOA's annual conference (see 2408260004). Lightfoot called this "somewhat concerning” given that fiber is future-proof. BEAD money is unlikely to begin flowing from NTIA until at least mid 2025, he said. Efforts at avoiding BEAD funding for overbuilding also create a disincentive for incumbent operators to upgrade aging infrastructure, Lightfoot added.

The Wireless ISP Association was "pleased" to see the proposed guidance "designed to maximize finite BEAD funds" by clarifying what constitutes "alternative technologies," said State Advocacy Manager Steve Schwerbel. UFWAs and LEOs "can be used where it costs too much to deploy fiber in BEAD deployments," Schwerbel said, noting the "expense and lag" of fiber deployment has caused states to "recognize the need for more flexibility in the program." The group "looks forward to providing comments in NTIA’s proceeding and appreciates NTIA’s willingness to engage with stakeholders to fine-tune the details to ensure states can flexibly use alternative technologies like uFWA and LEOs to make BEAD a success," he said.