Connect The Future Statement on Historic BEAD Allocation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Connect the Future (CTF) applauds state allocations announced today by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for more than $42 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding.
“Significant private and public investments in broadband, including the $42.45 billion BEAD program dedicated to expanding connectivity, represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect every unserved American to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Zachary Cikanek, executive director of Connect the Future (CTF). “Now we have to make certain those funds are put to use effectively to bridge our nation’s digital divide. That means eliminating the obstacles that stand in the way of swift, efficient deployment, such as pole access issues, so that critical broadband deployment funding is not stranded. CTF urges state and federal leaders to ensure that providers receive timely and cost-effective access to poles to deliver high-speed internet availability to all who need it as quickly as possible.”