The Trump administration has made significant changes to the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, removing the preference for fiber Internet. This shift is expected to funnel between $10 billion and $20 billion to Elon Musk’s Starlink and other non-fiber Internet providers. The BEAD program, authorized in November 2021, had been on hold since the change in administration. The new rules aim to adopt a “tech-neutral” approach, focusing on outcomes and reducing costs. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick emphasized the need for these changes, criticizing the previous administration’s regulations for slowing down the program. The Commerce Department is also exploring ways to cut red tape to speed up infrastructure construction. The goal is to connect households efficiently and at the lowest cost to taxpayers.
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