The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (Bead) program, a bipartisan initiative passed in 2021, is facing potential setbacks due to delays from the Trump administration. Administered by the Biden administration, the program aimed to connect tens of millions of underserved homes and communities in rural America to high-speed internet, specifically through fiber technology. Despite its promise to transform rural connectivity and create tens of thousands of jobs, the program now faces significant risks as the Trump administration hesitates in releasing necessary funds.
The Bead program was designed to be a boon for rural states by providing reliable and affordable internet service through fiber networks. Fiber technology was favored due to its ability to deliver consistent service to consumers. However, the Trump administration's delays could lead to "deeply negative outcomes" for American homes and businesses, as warned by experts. States like Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada have already had their plans approved to spend billions in Bead funding but are currently waiting for the federal government to release these funds.
"Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world's richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington," said Evan Feinman, highlighting concerns about potential favoritism towards Elon Musk's company, Starlink.
The Bead program's funding is part of a broader $42.45 billion plan aimed at connecting rural communities to high-speed internet. However, the Trump administration's hesitance, coupled with criticisms from some Republican legislators regarding the program's bureaucracy, poses challenges. The delays could leave shovels in the ground in states ready to begin construction on fiber networks, stalling progress in bridging the digital divide.
Despite bipartisan support for the Bead program, small-town America faces uncertainty as key elements of the initiative risk being abandoned. The concern is that without timely intervention, the opportunity to provide rural areas with robust internet infrastructure could be lost.
"Reach out to your congressional delegation and reach out to the Trump administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people," Feinman urged, emphasizing the need for streamlined processes without sacrificing state autonomy.
Elon Musk's Starlink, which owns approximately 62% of all operating satellites, has been a focal point in discussions about alternative broadband technologies. Still, fiber remains a preferred choice for its reliability and potential economic benefits through job creation across rural communities.