- The U.S. Senate just confirmed Arielle Roth as new NTIA chief
- The telecom industry is hopeful the long-delayed BEAD program can finally get going
- Approval came after the agency gave states the go-ahead to start conducting additional BEAD subgrantee selection rounds
Arielle Roth, President Trump’s nominee for NTIA chief, has now officially received the U.S. Senate’s green light to carry out the overhauled $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Roth, who works as a policy director for Ted Cruz in the Senate Commerce Committee, was initially tapped for the post in February. Her appointment was expected, given her background in the Senate as well as a Federal Communications wireline advisor to former Commissioner Michael O'Reilly.
The NTIA in June issued revised BEAD program rules that notably axed the previous administration’s preference for fiber broadband deployments. Roth will likely take no issue with that change; she's publicly criticized BEAD’s fiber-centric approach.
Under the new rules, states are required to conduct a “Benefit of the Bargain Round” to ensure the lowest-cost broadband option, opening the door for more satellite and fixed wireless providers to receive funds.
NTIA earlier this week announced all 56 states and territories are approved to begin that additional subgrantee selection round. States have until September 4 to complete the round and submit a final proposal to NTIA, which also published a new dashboard to track their progress.
New Street Research earlier this year predicted the new NTIA chief (whoever that would have been) will “follow orders, rather than chart a new course based on their personal background and policy preferences.”
Telecom trade groups congratulated Roth on her Senate confirmation, including CTIA, the Fiber Broadband Association, USTelecom, WISPA and many others. They seem optimistic that BEAD can finally get into motion with Roth at the helm.
Matt Mandel, VP of government affairs at WISPA, said Roth in her career thus far has “played a leading role in addressing spectrum demand, targeted universal service support and promoting a pro-innovation, taxpayer-first view of the U.S. broadband landscape.”
“We look forward to partnering with her to close the digital divide and advance America’s fiber broadband infrastructure to support next generation technologies,” stated FBA President Gary Bolton.