A $42.45 billion broadband deployment program, known as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, might see significant changes. Arielle Roth, telecom policy director for Senator Ted Cruz, has been nominated to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the agency overseeing the BEAD program. Roth’s nomination follows Cruz’s call for an overhaul of the program, criticizing the NTIA for prioritizing fiber over other technologies. The BEAD program, established in November 2021, has already approved initial funding plans from all states and territories. However, a shift in approach could delay fund distribution. Roth has expressed concerns about the NTIA’s focus on “extralegal requirements” and a “woke social agenda,” potentially deterring participation and increasing costs. Under Roth’s leadership, the program might reduce its emphasis on fiber, possibly redirecting funds towards cable, fixed wireless, and satellite services like Starlink.
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