Choosing the right mix of technologies to achieve Internet for All

August 26, 2024

NTIA Seeks Comment on Guidance for Eligible Entities on Choosing Alternative Broadband Technologies for BEAD Program

By: Evan Feinman, BEAD Program Director

In the course of designing the BEAD program, NTIA routinely has sought public input on key issues to ensure we succeed in connecting everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. Today, NTIA is seeking public comment on one of the most challenging aspects of the Internet for All initiative: projects serving the most difficult and remote locations to connect.

Connecting everyone in America will require a variety of technologies. As states and territories begin selecting providers to build these networks, NTIA is seeking public comment on proposed guidance for how states and territories can fund a broad range of technologies to ensure connectivity for the most remote and expensive locations.

Fiber is a future-proof technology that will grow with families' data needs over time. It is the gold standard. But where fiber is not economically feasible, states and territories have other options. NTIA's existing guidance lays out how states and territories can ensure they are selecting the most reliable and scalable technology available to a location using fiber, hybrid fiber/coax networks, and licensed fixed wireless networks. Today, NTIA is releasing draft policy guidance, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, that provides states and territories additional clarity as to how to consider projects using alternative technologies.

The Cascade of Options

The Notice of Funding Opportunity outlines a clear cascade of options for states and territories to follow when choosing providers to receive BEAD program funding. But as a starting point, regardless of the technology used, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires Internet service providers to deliver speeds of 100/20 Mbps and latency of less than or equal to 100 milliseconds.

States must use "reliable broadband" technologies first. "Reliable broadband" is Internet service that meets high-speed thresholds, can adapt to changing societal needs, and provide service for decades.

• Fiber builds are priority broadband projects for BEAD. If a provider bids to serve a home or business with an end-to-end fiber connection, and their proposal is not too expensive, then they will be prioritized in receiving funds to deploy that network.
• The next priority is other "reliable broadband" technologies, like coaxial cable or licensed fixed wireless. These technologies are prioritized above alternative technologies. They may be selected for any locations that would be too expensive to serve with fiber.

For a small percentage of locations, in the hardest-to reach-parts of the country, a "reliable broadband" provider will not be available, or it will be too costly to deploy. In these limited circumstances, states can choose to fund projects using an alternative technology. Alternative technologies include unlicensed fixed wireless and low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband service that meet the BEAD speed and latency requirements.

Choosing an Alternative Technology

Different states and territories may choose different approaches to the mix of technology used to connect everyone. The draft guidance addresses two critical issues for states and territories considering funding alternative technology projects to their most expensive to connect locations.

First, it provides guardrails for where states and territories may deploy alternative broadband technologies with BEAD funds. The guidance requires states to review existing alternative technology deployments and commitments to deploy alternative technology in the future. If an area is served (or will be served) by an unlicensed fixed wireless provider or LEO network that meets the BEAD speed and latency requirements, BEAD funds cannot be used to deploy another alternative technology project. This will ensure we direct limited BEAD funding to where it is needed most.

Second, the proposed guidance details how funding can be used to support alternative technology projects. That includes how states may fund projects using LEO satellite service. NTIA is seeking comment on how to best enable alternative technologies while maintaining consumer affordability, key consumer protections and program integrity safeguards.

• NTIA proposes permitting states and territories to use BEAD funding to reserve LEO Internet capacity. Reserving capacity will ensure LEO projects meet BEAD speed and latency requirements and guarantee service availability for the life of the program.
• NTIA also proposes requiring states and territories to ensure necessary equipment at customers' homes, such as antennas for fixed wireless service or terminals for LEO service, is affordable to consumers. This will address the affordability challenges this equipment can pose to adoption and aligns with BEAD funding use for other consumer premise equipment.

NTIA seeks comment from the public on this proposed guidance, including on mechanisms that ensure compliance with BEAD obligations for LEO capacity subgrants and alternative reimbursement structures for LEO capacity subgrants. If you wish to provide comment to NTIA, please submit to BEAD by midnight ET on September 10, 2024.