The Biden administration’s BEAD program aimed at achieving universal high-speed internet by 2030 with $42 billion.
Criticism Mounts Against Biden Administration’s BEAD Program for Slow Progress and Regulatory Hurdles
President Joe Biden’s administration launched the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program in 2021 with over $42 billion in funding to connect every American to high-speed internet by 2030. Despite this investment not a single person has been connected yet with construction projects delayed until at least 2025 due to bureaucratic red tape and progressive mandates, according to the report of Reason.
Republican FCC commissioner Brendan Carr criticized the administration for the program’s lack of progress, attributing it to regulatory hurdles and complex approval processes imposed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). These requirements including workforce prioritization and bureaucratic layers have deterred broadband providers from participating in BEAD according to industry feedback.
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(photo: Washington Times)
Private Sector Outpaces Government in Broadband Expansion Efforts
While BEAD struggles, the private sector has independently expanded broadband access. The FCC’s updated standards and competitive market offerings now provide high-speed internet to the majority of households. Companies like SpaceX’s Starlink are also innovating with their technology offering robust internet options contrasting progress between government-funded initiatives and private sector advancements.
As debates continue over the effectiveness of government versus private sector initiatives in broadband expansion, the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to streamline BEAD and deliver on its promise of universal internet access. With technological advancements driving market improvements and the role of government programs like BEAD remains a contentious issue among policymakers and industry leaders.
