Telecommunications Industry Association Congratulates NTIA and Biden Administration on Another Milestone in Bridging the Digital Divide

On the heels of BEAD funding allocation, TIA reaffirms commitment to helping State Broadband Offices with new BEAD Program Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Security Requirements

Arlington, VA (June 26, 2023) – Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the trusted industry association for the connected world, today announced that it stands ready to support State Broadband Offices as they begin to outline how they plan to leverage funding allocated under the $42 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which is designed deliver high speed digital services to all Americans.

President Biden announced the allocation to individual states of broadband infrastructure funds under the BEAD Program on June 26. Each state now has six months to submit their initial proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), who is administering the BEAD Program, outlining how they intend to bring reliable, affordable broadband connection to their residents and how they will award funds to subgrantees to achieve their broadband priorities.

“TIA congratulates NTIA and the Biden Administration on this significant breakthrough in our nation’s history – bringing high speed internet to all Americans, regardless of where you live,” said David Stehlin, CEO, TIA. “We have worked closely with federal and state government officials on critical factors for a successful BEAD program rollout including in areas such as ensuring that broadband networks are secure and trusted pursuant to the new NOFO requirements; that appropriate limited waivers are granted to enable successful program implementation and deployments; that precious grant funds are exempt from federal taxation; and that there is adequate workforce and training available to deploy broadband in all states and territories.”

The NTIA will review and provide commentary to the initial proposals and begin awarding grant funds. In one year each state will have to submit their final proposal and can begin implementing their plans once NTIA grants approval. The states will have four years to complete their BEAD projects.

Stehlin added, “There are several new Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) requirements relating to Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Security in the BEAD Program. TIA has completed detailed analysis of these important requirements and as a result of our expertise and leadership in this area we are ready to help State Broadband Offices across the country better understand and develop their BEAD Program implementation strategies.”

In April, TIA held its inaugural BEAD Success Summit, which brought together industry, state and federal government leaders to discuss, in workshop form, the BEAD program requirements and latest network architectures and alternatives. Featured speakers at the summit included Senator Mark Warner from Virginia; Kevin Gallagher, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce; and several leaders from the NTIA as well as key state and local officials.