Tag Archives: BEAD

Some electric cooperatives lose interest in BEAD due to pole attachment rule changes

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Telecompetitor reports…

Pole attachment requirements added late in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program rollout have become a sticking point for electric cooperatives, already pushing some out of the program. In an interview with Telecompetitor, NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said the BEAD provision marks a sharp break from decades of federal policy and is one reason several cooperatives have decided the program is no longer worth pursuing.

Under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA’s) revised terms, an electric cooperative that accepts BEAD funding for any part of its territory becomes subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pole attachment rates across its entire service area, not only the funded portion.

Electric cooperatives have long been exempt from FCC pole attachment regulation under Section 224 of the Communications Act, which caps the rates pole owners may charge companies that string broadband lines and sets deadlines for processing attachment requests. Cooperatives set their rates locally, and Congress preserved the exemption in recognition of the sparsely populated, hard-to-serve areas co-ops typically cover.

MN Office of Broadband Development announces first signed BEAD deal

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I mentioned this yesterday in the OBD Updates, but I’m glad to highlight it again today, because it’s pretty big news. Broadband Breakfast reports…

Minnesota has notched a milestone: the state’s first signed BEAD deal.

The state’s Office of Broadband Development announced an executed contract and approved environmental review for East Central Energy’s fiber project expected to connect 3,750 locations between Minneapolis and Duluth.

Office of Broadband Development Update July 29 2026: East Central Energy (ECE)

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
  • Upcoming Tribal broadband summit + federal funding opportunities
  • Digital opportunity, community update
  • Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses

Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

Minnesota is excited to announce its very first fiber project for BEAD has an executed contract and approved National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) decision memo. This East Central Energy (ECE) Fiber project in East Central Minnesota is expected to serve 3,750 locations:

“Bringing broadband to unserved and underserved communities takes true partnership. We extend our sincere thanks to the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development and DEED for their collaborative approach, responsiveness, and shared commitment to connecting rural Minnesota. Their assistance in helping us finalize and execute our BEAD application was invaluable.” Ty Houglum, Vice President/Chief Information Officer, ECE 

Minnesota BEAD Map with ECE Central Minnesota project.

OBD is continuing to work through required project scope changes and preparing contracts for execution. These scope changes often include removing locations newly identified as already served or re‑awarding locations when providers decline an award. Updated information and resources can be found on the OBD BEAD webpage.

Because the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must approve these project scope changes, the review process can take several weeks. OBD will continue coordinating closely with partners to keep projects moving and to meet the federal contracting deadline of October 8, 2026.

Providers and community members can contact OBD (DEED.broadband@state.mn.us) with questions.

Upcoming Tribal broadband summit + federal funding opportunities

Early bird registration is open for the 2026 NTTA Tribal Broadband Regional Southern Plains Summit, September 21-23 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The summit will look to advance broadband connectivity and digital sovereignty throughout Indian Country and cover topics like data sovereignty, AI & emerging technology, broadband equity & infrastructure, and cultural continuity. More information and registration is available online.

Additionally, NTIA Announced Two New Funding Opportunities to Expand Broadband Connectivity on Tribal Lands. Applications are due September 17, 2026. More information is available on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA webpage including:

Digital opportunity, community update

OBD is actively monitoring developments given the recent federal court ruling impacting the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. At this time, our office has not received updated guidance from NTIA regarding whether Digital Equity funds or related grants may be reinstated.

We understand how important this is to Minnesota. As new information becomes available, OBD will relay updates through this newsletter and on the OBD Digital Opportunity webpage.

As we navigate these ongoing developments together, please feel free to reach out to our office with questions at DEED.broadband@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-259-7610.

Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program.

For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

State Broadband Chiefs, including Minnesota’s Bree Maki, talk about guidance on $21 Billion of remaining BEAD funds

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Broadband Breakfast reports…

Four state broadband directors [including Minnesota’s Bree Maki] said Wednesday they remain in the dark about how they can spend billions in leftover federal broadband dollars, uniting behind a single plea to Washington: Give states the flexibility to fund what their residents actually need.

Speaking during a Broadband Breakfast Live Online panel, the officials described a monthslong wait for guidance from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on the remaining Non-Deployment funds, money remaining after states finish connecting unserved locations under the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

OBD Broadband Update July 15: BEAD, Tribal Broadband funding opportunities & line extension

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From the MN Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • ICYMI, webinar from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program
  • Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
  • Reminder, NTIA funding opportunities on Tribal Lands
  • Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses

ICYMI, webinar from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program

The session from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program for the Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems) is posted on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.

Click below to watch the overview from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulatory Program as it relates to broadband infrastructure deployment under BEAD.

Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

Minnesota continues to make steady progress on the federal BEAD program. The Office of Broadband Development is currently working through required project updates and preparing contracts for execution. Typically, this means removing locations newly identified as already served, or re-awarding locations when providers decline an award.

Because NTIA must approve these project scope changes, the review process can take several weeks. OBD will continue coordinating closely with partners to keep projects moving and to meet the federal contracting deadline of October 8, 2026.

Providers and community members can contact OBD (DEED.broadband@state.mn.us) with questions.

Reminder, NTIA funding opportunities on Tribal Lands

On June 17, 2026, NTIA Announced Two New Funding Opportunities to Expand Broadband Connectivity on Tribal Lands. Applications are due September 17, 2026. More information is available on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA webpage including:

Line Extension Connection Program, registration open for residents and businesses

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program. For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

OBD expects to announce a sixth round of the program with standard timelines using state funds later in 2026.

More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

EVENT July 8: Webinar for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Wednesday July 8 at 11 a.m. CT., a new session has been added for the Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

The session agenda will be posted on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage under the “Broadband Development Training series” toggle. No registration required and the Teams link to join the session will be included on the agenda. 

The session will provide an overview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulatory Program as it relates to broadband infrastructure deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program in Minnesota.

OBD Broadband Update June 17: Line Extension, Task Force meeting and updates

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • New session added! Webinar for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program, July 8
  • Broadband Task Force, June meeting plans
  • OBD in the field
  • Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
  • Line Extension Connection Program updates

New session added! Webinar for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program, July 8

Wednesday July 8 at 11 a.m. CT., a new session has been added for the Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).

The session agenda will be posted on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage under the “Broadband Development Training series” toggle. No registration required and the Teams link to join the session will be included on the agenda.

The session will provide an overview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulatory Program as it relates to broadband infrastructure deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program in Minnesota.

Broadband Task Force, June meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will meet on Thursday June 18 at 10 a.m. CT. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend. The Teams link to join the meeting will be included at the top of the meeting agenda which has been posted along with other information on past meetings on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

OBD in the field

OBD staff have been busy performing site visits across the state for Broadband Grant Program Rounds 9 and 10, and the Line Extension Connection Program Round 4 to ensure infrastructure grant compliance.

Since March, the team has gone on site visits for 24 grantee projects with providers from:

Wiktel, Sytek, Bevcomm, Midco, Woodstock Telephone Company, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power, Arvig (upper photo: Byron Sagen, Construction Manager for Arvig’s Round 9 Border-to-Border Naytahwaush grant project), Spectrum, Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association, East Central Energy (ECE), Albany Mutual Telephone Association (AMTA), Benton Cooperative Telephone Company, Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), Red River Communications (lower photo: Tom Steinolfson, General Manager and CEO of Red River Communications), Federated REA, Garden Valley Telephone Company (GVT), and CTC.

Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates

Minnesota continues to advance the federal BEAD program forward with steady, thoughtful progress. Alongside ongoing pre-contracting work, including necessary scope adjustments, the state has launched a rebid round. All rebid-eligible locations are available for public viewing on the Minnesota BEAD map.

Updated guidance was released June 16 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the updated FAQ Version 22 is available on NTIA’s webpage.

Additional information and resources will continued to be posted and updated on OBD BEAD’s webpage ensuring partners have ongoing access to the latest program developments.

Line Extension Connection Program updates

The bidding window for the fast-tracked Round 5 closed May 22, 2026 and submitted bids are under review and initial award offers are being sent.

Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the program. For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.

OBD expects to announce a sixth round of the program with standard timelines using state funds later in 2026.

More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.

Some BEAD recipients are backing away from the federal funding

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Doug Adams talks reports in Broadband.IO…

With BEAD awards moving into the contract execution phase, a small but growing number of proposed subgrantees are deciding not to proceed. In some cases, companies are walking away voluntarily. In another, questions remain about what happened behind the scenes.

Nebraska. It’s Not for Everyone

In Nebraska, The Nebraska Examiner reported that three ISPs backed out “due to changes in their business plans.”

The three BEAD participants in the state that didn’t sign contracts appeared to be Amazon, Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company, and Pinpoint Communications.

Minnesota isn’t mentioned but the topics did come up at the Office of Broadband Development’s broadband conference in April. It is one of the wildcards that’s making planning challenging for the state broadband office.

Rep. Delaney calls out Commerce Department for unlawfully withholding funds for Universal Broadband

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I’m borrowing the recap from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society on the following. It you want more information, I suggest reading the original letter …

Representative April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06) led a letter with her House colleagues demanding that the Department of Commerce explain its continued withholding of appropriated funds that Congress explicitly authorized under its historic $65 billion-dollar internet initiative known as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Prior to serving as a Member of Congress, Rep. McClain Delaney was the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator at NTIA under the Biden-Harris Administration and helped build and launch the national BEAD program. The Congressional letter, directed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NTIA Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth, again lifted up questions from Members that have gone unanswered for over eight months. Members are deeply concerned about the Administration’s lack of transparency and the long overdue withholding of “nondeployment funds.” The letter is co-signed by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), and Troy Carter (D-LA-02). In addition to the Congresswoman’s letter to Commerce and NTIA, she is introducing the Broadband Deployment and Economic Impact Study Act, which directs NTIA to conduct a comprehensive study of the technologies used to provide broadband internet access services. The study would evaluate key factors such as workforce requirements, geographic deployment capabilities, technology lifespan, and monthly consumer costs across various broadband technologies, from fiber-optic cable to satellites. The bill is cosponsored by Reps. James Clyburn (D-SC-06), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06), and Shomari Figures (D-AL-02).

Pew outlines the importance of the State Offices of Broadband Development

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Kathryn de Wit and Jake Varn write about the importance of State Offices of Broadband Development for Pew…

States continue to make headway on the implementation of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42 billion federal initiative to connect all Americans to high-speed internet. As state broadband offices (SBOs) collaborate with other government agencies, internet service providers (ISPs), and communities to meet BEAD’s rapid four-year construction deadlines, state lawmakers should ensure that SBOs continue to have sufficient authority and capacity to effectively use BEAD funds and address statewide connectivity needs.

The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development opened in 2014 and has remained open since. Having an office has made is possible to advocate and distribute funding wisely – that includes but not exclusively mean BEAD funding.

Electric cooperatives concerned with BEAD changes (fiber and pole attachments)

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Light Reading reports...

As electric cooperatives descend upon Washington, DC, this week for their fifth-annual Broadband Leadership Summit, they bring with them a number of policy priorities and concerns. Among those is their growing distress at the direction of the federal government’s $42 billion BEAD program.

“Quite frankly, some decisions have been made in the BEAD program that we are not happy with,” said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), during a press conference last week ahead of the summit. NRECA represents the interests of the country’s electric co-ops, of which roughly 200 offer retail broadband service in the US.

There were at least two issues for the electric coops: fiber…

“We were pretty disappointed that the preference for fiber was removed. We think that shifts the program’s focus from what would be more of a proven, durable, scalable broadband technology. So we were not in favor of that decision,” added Matheson. The Trump administration stripped BEAD of its fiber preference last June, forcing states to re-do their bidding processes to instead award the lowest-cost bidders.

And pole attachment rules for electric coops…

In addition to BEAD losing its fiber preference, co-ops are also worried about ever-changing rules for the federal broadband program that make it harder for them to participate: “It adds to confusion, it adds to delay, it adds to cost. That’s been disappointing,” said NRECA’s Matheson.

One change of particular concern to electric cooperatives is the NTIA’s decision to impose FCC pole attachment rules on co-ops participating in the BEAD program, despite co-ops typically being exempt from federal pole attachment regulations. The FCC rules cap the rates pole owners may impose and set time limits on processing pole attachment applications. The regulation applies across the service provider’s entire footprint, not just within the BEAD-funded area.

Benton asks if the changes to BEAD proposed by the Trump Administration are legal

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society has asked the question that I think many of us have pondered – are all of these change to BEAD legal? They recently posted an article from Tejas N. Narechania is a Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law on the topic. He starts with the setup…

In 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocated over $42 billion to the new Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to ensure high-speed Internet access for every American.[1] That money was allocated across 56 states and territories responsible for selecting the providers that will build connectivity to unserved and underserved locations.

After President Trump’s second inauguration, his administration implemented several changes to the BEAD Program. Among them are two new conditions on state funding.

First, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), announced that it would prohibit states from regulating broadband rates or imposing network neutrality rules on broadband providers,[2] even after several federal courts held that such rules fell within the states’ traditional, lawful powers. NTIA has since asked states to sign amended “Notices of Award”—documents governing BEAD grants—that purport to implement this prohibition statewide, even in locations not subsidized by BEAD (e.g., places with existing service).

Second, Executive Order No. 14,365 directs the Secretary of Commerce to identify “onerous” state laws regulating AI systems,[3] singling out Colorado’s prohibition against biased AI systems used for discriminatory purposes as an example.[4] The Executive Order then declares that any state with an onerous law will be deemed ineligible for certain “nondeployment” BEAD funds. As of April 2026, the Commerce Secretary has yet to release this “naughty list” of AI laws.

Both conditions are unlawful.

The author goes on to explain that both conditions are inconsistent with the text of the IIJA and other statutory provisions, there’s no federal power to preempt state AI and broadband regulation and federal authorities doesn’t have the power to regulate and to preempt state regulation. The explanations in the article are more complete and succinctly explained. It’s worth checking out the full article.

Notes from Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)

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Today the Office of Broadband Development held a session on Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems). Below are the slides and notes on questions.

 

 

Questions

 

Q: Shouldn’t one clue have been that gas line should have been in yellow conduit, not blueish/green?
A: Yes

 

Q: Hi Mike, thank you so much for joining us today. Two questions; 1) How is the MNOPS preparing for the massive increase of broadband deployment construction projects that will hit the MNOPS and 811 locate program that will be part of the next four years for the BEAD program? 2) As new entrants to the broadband market, rural electric coops have experienced significant delays due to incumbent telco/ISP not providing timely locates. How will MNOPS insure BEAD broadband projects are not delayed due to incumbent telco/ISP locate delays?

A: We get a lot of communications. There has been an impact.
We are trying to mitigate locate delays. But yet, projects are been delayed.

 

Q Mike would it be a good use of BEAD funds to pay for more locators, are there enough locators available in the market or is there a skill shortage?
A: We ask that regularly. We can recommend but not demand.

 

 

Q: Is MNOPS able to proactively work with MN DEED to ensure locating companies in rural Minnesota are staffed appropriately to support the massive fiber construction about to begin?

A: We are happy to partner

 

Notes:

Resources are available on the Line Extension Connection Program (https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/extension/) and federal BEAD program (https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/). 

Sign up for the April 23 session: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/6a5c02c3-d4f8-48fb-9ad5-c6f137b98955@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c  

Registration for the 4/29 Broadband Summit site is available here: mn.gov/deed/events/connecting/  

Notes from Training: Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems)

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The Office of Broadband Development is hosting a series of BEAD-related webinars to  share info with potential sub-grantees and help get ready to get deploying when the State gets approval to move forward. Below are notes, and mostly slides from the session. OBD will put the archive of the session on their website eventually.

Update with BEAD

  • Working through contracting language
  • $380M in 94 porjects
  • Working on grants management system
  • Working on environmental et al rules
  • Non-deployment funds – still waiting for guidance on how OBD can use that

MN Indian Affairs Council Office of State Archeologist (session topic)

The organizations introduced themselves, giving a history, talking about the services they provide and the laws related to their service and expertise. Cemeteries are a big part of their area of work. There are state and federal laws that apply on both federal and tribal lands.

Questions

  • Approvals only adhere to tribal areas?
    Field archaeology act – does recommend but there may be other laws that apply. IN private cemeteries it is more than recommendation.
  • What’s the turnaround time?
    A couple months

Some Legislators looking again at SpaceX’s participation in BEAD funding

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Broadband Breakfast reports on more potential uncertainty for State Broadband leaders dealing to BEAD…

Nearly 20 House Democrats say they have “deep concern” about satellite ISP SpaceX’s participation in a $42.45 billion broadband grant program after the company asked state broadband offices to relax some of the program’s rules.

“Other providers that participated in BEAD presumably did so in good faith, with a clear understanding of the rules. Starlink’s proposed rider suggests that it did not,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter last week to Arielle Roth, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “If Starlink cannot comply with the standards that other BEAD providers have accepted, NTIA and state broadband offices must reconsider these awards.”

In January, SpaceX asked states to modify rules around performance testing and other provisions of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program before signing contracts with the company. NTIA, which is managing the program at the federal level, then released an updated FAQ document telling states that they couldn’t negotiate deals with grant winners that conflicted with BEAD rules.