BEAD – Are we there yet?
The?Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program?(BEAD) provides regional ISPs (RSPs) a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally offer quality broadband service to the many unserved and underserved communities that are so physically or financially challenging to reach. While the application and approval process to receive funding has been arduous and has consumed more time than hoped, cleanly identifying locations in need has been necessary. RSPs will soon find their patience rewarded – now in mid-2024, states are finalizing their applications to the?National Telecommunications and Information Administration?(NTIA). In 2025, RSPs can expect to know which locations they have been awarded and how much funding they can receive, with timelines varying by state. The actual buildout should start in 2025.
BEAD also provides an excellent opportunity to upgrade critical elements in the core network, which is many years overdue. As RSPs extend and improve “last mile” access, critical core network infrastructure will also need to be augmented to support the added subscribers and traffic. BEAD funding can be used toward this needed network equipment, including cybersecurity. The BEAD?Notice of Funding Opportunity?(NOFO) requires sub-grantees to submit cybersecurity and supply-chain risk management plans and to comply with the?NIST cybersecurity framework.
This blog will summarize the BEAD program and progress, the most common core network security challenges facing growing RSPs, what steps RSPs can take now, and how A10 Networks’ security solutions can help.
What is BEAD?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is a $42.45 billion grant and part of the $1.2 trillion?Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act?signed into law on November 15, 2021. BEAD focuses on extending broadband access to unserved and underserved locations so that high-speed internet access is available to all communities throughout the U.S., territories, and tribal nations. The program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). It includes a rigorous, multi-step application and?approval process?for “eligible entities” (states, tribal nations, territories) to follow before federal funding is released. These eligible entities are responsible for managing the process and the actual deployments in their respective geographic areas, with NTIA oversight and approval.
BEAD Application Process and Timeline
On June 30, 2023, NTIA announced the allocations of BEAD funding to the eligible entities. NTIA also provided an initial map that estimated unserved and underserved locations. Still, it is up to each state to confirm or “challenge” those locations and develop a refined list that meets the criteria for BEAD funding. The development and execution of each state’s challenge process, followed by NTIA approval of the challenge results, have taken considerable time. There are multiple stages in this process:
What’s the Current Status of the BEAD Application and Funding Process?
Today, all 56 eligible entities (states, territories, tribal nations, and others) have submitted initial proposals to NTIA and are in various stages of the challenge and final proposal process. None of the states have yet progressed to selecting sub-grantees (RSPs), but this should happen in late 2024/early 2025.
What can RSPs do Now?
Each state has a different timeline and a portal and web page. Although the selection process has not started, there are many steps ISPs can take now to prepare for the scoring rounds that determine sub-grantee selection and to plan the network architecture changes that will be needed. The status of each state’s plan, initial proposal, and challenge process can be found on the?NTIA portal. NTIA lists?state broadband leaders?for BEAD and other programs, and Fierce Telecom publishes a?list of broadband resources?in each state.
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Common Core Network Challenges
Adding significant subscribers and traffic can push the limits of core network capacity and functionality. A10 has worked with several regional ISPs as they upgrade and augment their networks.
Here are some items to consider now regarding improvements to core network capabilities:
Why BEAD – Why Now?
The near-term release of $42 billion towards bridging the digital divide has escalated media attention and public awareness. The radio, Marketplace, has recently highlighted the BEAD program and the general impact of broadband on?rural communities?through a program?series?broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR).
BEAD is attempting to fill the gap left by many other federal and state broadband programs introduced over the last ten years, such as Connect America Fund (CAF), Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), USDA ReConnect, American Rescue Plan (ARP) and others. BEAD was enacted because other, less comprehensive programs did not completely close the gap.
Because BEAD is trying to identify the millions of locations that do not have adequate broadband?AND?that will not be funded by other programs, the database/mapping integrity challenges have been enormous. In addition, states have obligations to constituents and local service providers to ensure fairness of the award process, maintain compliance with state procurement rules, prevent unneeded buildout or over-building, and enable affordability for residents. The NTIA is charged with seeing that the funding is awarded in the manner intended by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This complexity has resulted in a lengthy, long-term process.
Despite frustration over the complexity and lengthy timelines (so far, three years), BEAD funding is critical for regional service providers to build out and provide broadband to those unserved or underserved areas that have long been so financially and physically challenging.
BEAD is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help their communities leap into broadband.
Consider A10 Networks
A10 Networks provides critical core network solutions that help RSPs secure and scale their networks more efficiently as they grow. We have worked with several regional ISPs to provide carrier-grade networking/CGNAT, DDoS protection, DNS security, and other vital elements.?More details can be found here. This article appears on the A10 blog.