Joel Leighton

DENVER, August 8, 2024 – State broadband directors from the the midwest shared updates on their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program rollouts, and discussed efforts to prevent provider defaults at a Tuesday Mountain Connect panel. Ohio state is still working through its Volume 2 proposal because of a disagreement over its “one dollar provision.” The provision would allow entities to bid a dollar for locations in the first round.

DENVER, August 8, 2024 – State broadband office directors shared how they adapted to challenges posed by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program. The directors from six different states appeared during a Tuesday Mountain Connect plenary panel here to talk strategy. The BEAD program, which is to provide $42.5 billion for broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved communities, has received criticism from some for delays in its rollout.

DENVER, August 7, 2024 – Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and his private equity firm, now involved in the largest federal broadband program, has advised states to create grant funding areas based on large geographic unit, like counties.