We asked five executives what’s top of mind as they deploy funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to close the digital divide in their states. Decades after the internet’s debut, millions of Americans still lack access to high-speed broadband service. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD), part of the US government’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, provides $42.45 billion in federal funding to expand high-speed internet service across the country. By the end of 2024, all US states will mark an important milestone: they will be in a position to begin their subgrantee1 selection programs, competitively granting their share of the funds. This presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges for state broadband offices.
