The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program represents a historic $42 billion investment in connecting unserved and underserved communities. As states begin moving forward with implementation, roughly half of that funding is expected to support deployment, while the remaining funds are still subject to guidance from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on how they can be used.
As these dollars begin to flow, the focus is shifting from allocation to execution. But building broadband networks is not just about funding construction. Across the country, especially in rural areas, deployment timelines are often slowed by challenges that arise long before construction begins.
To maximize BEAD’s impact, NTIA should allow states to use the remaining funding available strategically. That includes investing not only in deployment itself, but also in the critical steps that make successful deployment possible.
Investing in what speeds deployment
Some of the most effective ways to accelerate broadband builds are also the least visible. Addressing bottlenecks early in the process can significantly reduce delays and costs later on.
NTIA should allow states to direct BEAD resources toward key deployment-enabling activities, including:
- Expanding permitting capacity to reduce application backlogs and speed approvals.
- Supporting pole replacements and attachment readiness to address infrastructure constraints.
Many of these challenges fall outside the direct control of broadband providers. Delays often stem from limited staffing at permitting offices and the type of utility that owns the poles. Targeted resources can help address these constraints and keep projects moving forward.
These types of investments may not always make headlines, but they can determine whether projects move forward on schedule or stall before construction even begins.
Unlocking access to land and infrastructure
To connect homes to the internet, providers need to build the network throughout rural areas. Permitting barriers at the federal, state, and local levels can increase costs and extend timelines, and they will play a major role in determining whether BEAD projects succeed.
These challenges have prompted policymakers to focus on solutions such as the American Broadband Deployment Act. This legislation would establish a more predictable and consistent permitting framework nationwide, helping reduce delays and accelerate both BEAD-funded projects and ongoing private investment. In addition to congressional action, NTIA should allow states to use additional BEAD funding to increase capacity at state and local offices that will process the influx of applications for BEAD-funded projects.
Beyond permitting, access to land presents another major challenge. In many rural areas, one of the most persistent barriers to broadband deployment is access to easements, rights-of-way, and private property.
When public rights-of-way are unavailable, providers must identify property ownership, confirm existing easement rights, and negotiate new access agreements. These steps can be time-consuming and costly, and in some cases can delay or halt projects altogether.
Before construction begins, providers often conduct title research, mapping, and legal reviews to determine whether broadband deployment is permitted. If access cannot be secured, projects may need to be rerouted, adding delays and additional costs.
NTIA should allow states to use BEAD funds to support these activities. Doing so would help remove access barriers, prevent delays, and ensure that federal investments are used efficiently.
Quick action can help clear the path
Recent regulatory actions also show how targeted decisions can remove barriers.
In the Comcast v. Appalachian Power case, the Federal Communications Commission clarified that pole owners cannot charge communications attachers the full replacement cost of poles that were already in violation of code before the communications provider sought to attach extra equipment. This expedited decision by the FCC helps reduce delays and uncertainty when providers seek to attach equipment to existing infrastructure, which is a critical step in broadband deployment.
Actions like this demonstrate how government can play a constructive role in clearing obstacles that slow network expansion.
Pairing flexibility with accountability
NTIA direction for how to spend additional funding must be paired with clear guardrails to ensure funds are used effectively and remain focused on deployment goals.
NTIA can support this approach by maintaining common-sense protections, including:
- Ensuring funds are tied to last-mile deployment serving unserved and underserved locations.
- Requiring appropriate NTIA oversight and approval of funding uses.
- Preventing overbuilding or duplicative infrastructure investments.
With the right guardrails in place, states can address real-world deployment challenges while maintaining accountability for how funds are used.
Turning investment into impact
BEAD is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to close the digital divide. But funding alone won’t get the job done.
Success will depend on how effectively all stakeholders work together to remove barriers, streamline processes, and make smart use of available resources. By investing in deployment-enabling activities, maintaining strong guardrails, and advancing policies that support faster builds, we can accelerate progress and connect more communities, more quickly.
