Yesterday, I posted notes and video from first Informational Webinars for the BEAD Initial Proposals. The second webinar happened this morning and I captured part of the Q&A portion of the presentation below.

I think the big takeaway is to submit a comment if you have one. Post if you have an idea to make it better. Post if you there’s something you really like. For example, Minnesota would like to *not* include fixed wireless access to define areas as served. NTIA, however, does count fixed wireless. So if you agree with not counting fixed wireless – it would likely help the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) to hear from you.

Also – here’s a recent reminder from OBD on the public comment deadline…

The public comment period will be closing soon for the State’s Draft Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Initial Proposal (Volumes I and II) for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

To learn more about the federal BEAD program, and to read the draft Initial Proposal and to make public comment, visit DEED’s website on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Public Comments can also be mailed to:

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Office of Broadband Development
180 E 5^th Street, Suite 1200
St. Paul, MN 55101

For consideration, all comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, December 12, 2023.