“Furthermore, NTIA hasn’t provided the necessary guidance on what changes are expected,” Bolton added in a statement issued after the pause. “Delaying a program that’s ready to deliver highspeed, reliable broadband slows progress for the communities BEAD was designed to help and has a chilling effect on additional private and public investments.” The $42.45 billion program, which provides states grants to improve high-speed internet access, is under scrutiny by the Trump administration, which issued a 90-day pause on the funding in April. Impacted states include West Virginia (35.5% fiber broadband availability per capita) and Nevada (28.6% availability per capita), according to FBA. FBA President and CEO Gary Bolton said the pause “jeopardizes deployment plans the states have spent years tailoring to individual communities.” 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 06
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