BEAD the Call: What the First Four Years of BEAD can Teach Us
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program (BEAD) has followed a long and winding road since its inception in 2021. Nationally, the final approval process for receiving BEAD funding is still ongoing, but one takeaway has become evident: competition and innovation, not red tape regulations, are the key to unlocking fast and accessible internet.
Louisiana led the nation in gaining BEAD approval during the Biden administration. After the National Telecommunication Information Administration (NTIA) rescinded Biden-era policies and approvals to cut away at red tape and use a tech neutral approach, Louisiana’s broadband office, ConnectLA, again rose to the task and delivered a new plan that not only gained approval, but saved $250 million from the original plan. This week, Governor Jeff Landry announced another milestone for Louisiana, as it became the first state approved for $1.36 billion in federal broadband funding.
The Pelican Institute praised the state’s approach, saying, “Louisiana prioritized competition, innovation, efficiency, and long-range planning in its successful application for federal BEAD funding to support one-time broadband access projects across our state. This recipe should be followed across state government as Louisiana continues to leverage federal funding.”
How did Louisiana achieve such swift and efficient success? ConnectLA’s small but talented team worked closely with top state leaders, broadband providers, and communities slated to be served. The result was a highly competitive bidding process, where the best technologies at the best prices were selected to meet the real needs of locations. This competition-forward approach meant that alternative technologies were on the table and a partiality for in-ground cable did not push out satellite or other methods when they were better suited. ConnectLA was attentive to the consumer (underserved areas) and leveraged the power of the free market to construct plans that met the requirements of a new NTIA eager to maximize BEAD funding and unleash broadband success.
As states approach the building phase, applying the free market lessons of the previous year is vital to efficiency and long term success. Reforming the permitting process for building broadband infrastructure will be an important step towards this goal. At the state level, Louisiana has also shown leadership by restricting the compliance measures imposed upon construction by broadband providers. Act 632, from the 2024 Regular Session, is an example of how states can cut away at red tape that prevents BEAD dollars from being leveraged to their full capacity.
Nationally, steps can be taken to streamline the process around wireless buildout. Although some BEAD locations will be served by fiber, wireless technology will still serve a significant number of homes. The NTIA’s new “technology neutral” approach resulted in an increased reliance on wireless for rural locations, as it serves them better and more efficiently.
As it stands, the restrictions around wireless buildout, like strenuous environmental review processes, are throwing yet another administrative wrench in the way of closing the digital divide. Permitting delays increase costs and prolong the time between plan approval and internet access. Beyond BEAD dollars, America’s technology industry and economy relies heavily on the strength of our wireless systems. Streamlining onerous guidelines and cutting bureaucratic bloat would have far reaching effects because the free market and innovators work best under minimal government intervention.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for issuing guidelines regarding this process and has already identified the status quo as an obstacle to network deployment. While the FCC has begun the process of identifying unnecessary regulations, work remains to be done. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has directly linked the cutting of red tape in this area with closing the digital divide. Next steps will include a formal update to the current rules and an awareness by state broadband offices of how permitting and regulations are unfolding in their project areas.
The BEAD saga is replete with lessons, chief among them the value of competition and innovation. The most successful states have prioritized reduced paperwork, increased communication with the consumer, and a fair bidding process wherein providers must demonstrate their effectiveness and cost-efficiency. To keep the momentum going, policymakers must be careful to not let onerous regulations stand in the way of finishing the good work of closing the digital divide.
Links to Learn More
FCC Makes Three Moves to Expedite Network Deployment – Telecompetitor
CTIA Urges FCC Action to Streamline Wireless Deployment Through Updated NEPA Rules – CTIA
