North Carolina announced today that it will be overhauling its $1.5 billion state broadband deployment program this summer in response to recent federal changes to the national broadband initiative. The update is in compliance with the Trump administration’s restructuring of the $46.5 billion federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Annette Taylor, Deputy Secretary for North Carolina’s Department of Information Technology, emphasized the state’s commitment to swiftly align its BEAD program with new federal requirements unveiled earlier this month.
“We are working closely with state and federal leaders to ensure our broadband program meets these updated standards,” said Taylor. “We encourage all interested providers to prequalify now to participate in North Carolina’s BEAD program.”
The BEAD program, valued at $42.5 billion nationwide, aims to close the digital divide by funding infrastructure projects across all 50 states. Funds will be allocated to subgrantees responsible for carrying out broadband expansion efforts.
According to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s June 6 funding notice, the program will now be technology neutral, removing the previous preference for fiber technology and allowing alternatives such as satellite broadband and fixed wireless access.
States have until September 4 to finalize their plans for distributing the funds and must report their decisions to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). North Carolina has set a deadline of July 7 for interested companies to submit their paperwork to participate in the program.
While the federal changes have drawn criticism from some Democrats who argue the revisions delay funding and require applicants to restart their processes, North Carolina remains focused on accelerating broadband access for all residents.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently called the federal reset “shameful,” warning it would negatively impact communities needing better or any internet access.
North Carolina’s Department of Information Technology remains committed to efficiently deploying the $1.5 billion broadband funding to bridge the state’s digital divide under the updated federal framework.
