- States Push for BEAD Progress
- New York Announces $50M for ConnectALL
- Philadelphia’s Free Wi-Fi Locator
- DOGE May Impact Digital Navigator Work
- Broadband Legislation Roundup
- Arielle Roth’s NTIA Nomination Hearing
STATES PUSH FOR BEAD PROGRESS
States are pushing for the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program to proceed after being put on hold for review by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. Evan Feinman, the former BEAD Program director, said the review will likely create delays in broadband deployment.
Now, many state officials and policymakers are taking action to mitigate those delays.
A group of 115 state legislators sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on April 3 requesting any BEAD changes be optional rather than mandatory so as to not undermine state authority over state programs, which the letter argued is “a central feature of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
Minnesota officials wrote a March 27 letter underlining that Congress created BEAD in a way that accounts for state-specific needs, and similarly argues that changes enacted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) should be optional for states.
“To ensure expedient progress, we respectfully urge you not to make any changes that will slow down the program,” the Minnesota letter said.
The state requested several changes, including the elimination of excessive reporting requirements, the creation of a publicly available dashboard for federal agency reviews, and the publication of program waivers.
Maine also sent a letter to Lutnick in March, in which the state argued there are several ways to accelerate and improve the program. Maine’s letter underlines that “every market is different,” noting that different technologies may be better suited for different locations. It also calls for streamlining of existing program requirements like permitting to speed deployment.
Per Maine’s letter, “we are at the starting gate and ready to go.”
West Virginia has taken a slightly different approach to advance its BEAD progress, as the state has been granted a 90-day extension to submit its final proposal to NTIA. This follows a meeting between Lutnick and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, according to the announcement.
The state will use the additional time granted to work with federal partners and stakeholders to finalize the proposal in a way that is consistent with proposed changes. This, the announcement said, will ensure the state’s plan addresses “the program’s new focus,” the details of which are not yet public.
Other policymakers have also voiced their opinion on the matter, with a collection of Congress members urging the release of stalled program funds in a letter. This letter emphasizes that the majority of states are ready, or near ready, to “put shovels in the ground,” and argues that program changes or new requirements “are sure to lead to multiyear delays at a minimum.”
Republican officials have also sent a letter in which they criticized the program’s restrictive “woke requirements” such as climate change mandates, and addressed potential delays caused by government interference.
Because the program was written into law by Congress, Feinman has argued that it is the duty of civil servants to “faithfully execute those laws.”
NEW YORK ANNOUNCES $50M FOR CONNECTALL
New York state has opened a Request for Applications for Phase 4 of its Municipal Infrastructure Program, which makes nearly $50 million available for broadband infrastructure projects. This brings the total investment of this program to nearly $300 million.
Phase 4 includes the establishment of the Excelsior Broadband Network, which aims to connect public broadband assets across the state, starting with a fiber line that runs the full length of the New York Thruway.
Applications opened March 27 and close April 25. Interested parties can find eligibility information on the program website, and can submit their application through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application Portal.
PHILADELPHIA’S FREE WI-FI LOCATOR
In local news, the Philadelphia Office of Innovation and Technology launched the Philly Free Wi-Fi Finder, a tool intended to help residents more easily find locations that provide free Wi-Fi services. These locations include libraries, recreation centers, centers for older adults, parks, and city buildings.
The city has been on a journey to expand public Wi-Fi access. Fifty-one sites have been activated since October 2024, out of more than 180 planned sites across the city — with a goal of bringing public Wi-Fi service to every neighborhood, according to a city post.
BROADBAND LEGISLATION ROUNDUP
Ohio Congressman Dave Taylor has introduced the Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act. The legislation, which arrived last week, would direct the submission of a request to the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study low-orbit satellites’ capabilities, potentially allowing for the inclusion of these technologies in the BEAD Program.
“Southern Ohio has long been a broadband desert, with our rural communities being left behind in an ever-changing and advancing economy,” Taylor said in a statement.
The Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act was reintroduced this week. This bill would direct the FCC to convene experts — including public interest groups and government officials — to establish a 6G Task Force.
The task force would attempt to position the U.S. to be a leader in wireless technology by exploring the role of standard-setting bodies, possible use cases, security risks and interagency coordination.
ARIELLE ROTH’S NTIA NOMINATION HEARING
Arielle Roth’s nomination to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the Department of Commerce is pending. The Senate Commerce Committee held a confirmation hearing for Roth March 27.
If confirmed, Roth will be charged with leading deployment of the BEAD Program, which she has previously criticized.
“I look forward to working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the BEAD program is a success and lives up to its bipartisan legacy,” Roth said in a statement.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will hold an executive session to consider Roth’s nomination prior to a Wednesday nominations hearing, all of which will stream live on the committee website.
DOGE MAY IMPACT DIGITAL NAVIGATOR WORK
The newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — formerly known as the U.S. Digital Service — aims to increase government efficiency and save money. States are even establishing their own versions of DOGE.
Now, it is reported that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — a federal agency that provides grants to libraries and museums — has placed its entire staff on administrative leave after a “brief meeting between DOGE staff and IMLS leadership.”
IMLS has contributed to the success of the nationally popular digital navigator model of improving digital literacy, according to a blog from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
“Small and rural libraries with limited local funding will feel the loss of their IMLS grants the hardest,” the blog said, arguing loss of this grant funding source will impact these institutions’ ability to provide critical community services like getting people online. The blog urged stakeholders to contact their congressional representatives to call for the protection of IMLS funding.
Some contracts have already been terminated for state staff who deliver digital navigator services, including those at the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, per a statement from Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.
This is not the only federal action impacting these efforts, as a recent executive order banning equity-focused initiatives is also impacting digital equity work.
