News
The NTIA has published their long-anticipated BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, and with it has rescinded all final proposal approvals.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
A new policy notice has rescinded all final proposal approvals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
The notice brings the next chapter into a highly criticized review of the BEAD Program, first announced in March by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
Published today on NTIA’s website, the restructuring policy notice informs states that all final proposal approvals that occurred prior are rescinded.
Notably, Louisiana, Nevada, and Delaware all had their final BEAD proposals approved before President Donald Trump was inaugurated.
To comply with the today’s policy notice, representatives for all eligible entities “must submit a letter to NTIA within 30 calendar days requesting an Initial Proposal correction,” the notice stated.
With the notice, NTIA also rescinded approval “of all non-deployment activities approved in Initial Proposals.”
The notice also says the NTIA will not reimburse eligible entities “for any new costs associated with previously approved non-deployment activities incurred” after June 6.
Eligible entities (states and territories) also directed to “investigate and account for locations that do not require BEAD funding,” in accordance with provided guidance.
Additionally, the notice directs states and territories to employ “LEO Capacity Subgrants.”
The notice also said previous regulatory framework didn’t capture differences between low-Earth orbit deployments “and other broadband technologies.”
“For example, when funding traditional broadband service, the Federal government typically takes an interest in the physical plant to ensure performance,” the notice stated. “With LEO service, however, there is no defined network dedicated to fixed locations in which the Federal government could take an interest to ensure performance.”
This is a developing story. Check back for continuing updates to this story.
Get content like this delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.
