NATE Newsroom:

NATE Statement on NTIA’s Guidance on Implementation of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s BEAD Program

Posted on: May 16, 2022 Category: NATE News

For Immediate Release:
May 16, 2022

NATE Statement on NTIA’s Guidance on Implementation of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s BEAD Program

(Washington, D.C.) – NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today issued the following statement on the release of NTIA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that provides the formal start for states to apply for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program grants and select partners in delivering internet access to unserved and underserved areas of the country. The BEAD Program includes $42.45 billion dollars in funding that was allocated as part of the comprehensive Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“NATE looks forward to conducting a thorough review of the Notice of Funding Opportunity released today by the NTIA. NATE and our over 1,100 member companies encompassing all 50 states have routinely asserted that the effective, efficient deployment of broadband funds as a means of bringing connectivity to all areas of the country must by necessity be technology neutral. As the BEAD Program money begins to flow to the states, it is imperative that broadband deployment be technology neutral – incorporating both fiber and wireless technologies such as fixed wireless, because we must use the technology that fits the unique geography and topography of each area and ensure that we are using taxpayer resources effectively and efficiently,” said President & CEO Todd Schlekeway.

“It is also important to note that the bi-partisan IIJA that was signed into law included a technology neutral approach, which would allow the flexibility necessary to allow wireless providers an opportunity to compete for the funding. As this process moves towards the states, NATE is well positioned through our 50-state grassroots advocacy Wireless Industry Network program to continue to monitor progress and best shape the guidelines that will best serve to close the digital divide,” added Schlekeway.

To read NATE’s late January 2022 official public comments to NTIA regarding the implementation of IIJA funding, click HERE. For more information on NATE, visit www.natehome.com.
 

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About NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association is a non-profit trade association dedicated to providing a unified voice for companies in the diverse tower and communications infrastructure construction, service and maintenance industries. Today the Association boasts over 1,130 member companies located throughout the United States, Bahamas, Canada, China, Israel, Jamaica, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and the United Kingdom. For additional information on NATE, please visit www.natehome.com.

Contact: Todd Schlekeway
(605) 882-5865