Gary Bolton, chief executive of the Fiber Broadband Association, says BEAD’s latest round—often described as its Benefit of the Bargain—signals the start of a long, multi‑generation push to connect unserved communities with fiber at its core. As states revise their BEAD plans, Bolton notes fiber remains the dominant technology in most proposals, with other solutions playing a smaller role.
Industry observers report that current BEAD location tallies show fiber coverage rising, while satellite and fixed wireless options still claim meaningful portions of the plan. Final proposals from several states have highlighted fiber as the preferred backbone, with remaining shares allocated to alternatives such as LEO satellites and fixed wireless in more geographically challenging areas. The Bead process, Bolton says, remains a work in progress that could shift with later NTIA decisions or state-level challenges.
Bolton emphasizes that BEAD won’t be the nation’s final act in upgrading telecommunications. He points to the broader public‑sector shift toward digital delivery of services—FEMA’s aid distribution and other programs are increasingly requiring online registration and payments—highlighting the continuing need for secure, low‑latency connectivity for seniors and households with limited internet experience.
Leftover non‑deployment BEAD funds, Bolton argues, should be deployed strategically to close gaps, fund workforce development, and accelerate infrastructure resilience. He cites the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund defaults as an example of households still needing access and training. He also advocates expanding middle‑mile networks to support the growth of data centers and to improve national resilience, competition, and latency.
Beyond deployment, Bolton calls for investments in forward‑looking technologies such as internet exchange points (IXPs) and even quantum networking, arguing that these investments can dramatically lower costs and latency while enabling new economic and scientific breakthroughs. He frames BEAD as the foundation for ongoing federal, state, and local collaboration to ensure universal, affordable, and future‑proof connectivity.
