Strategic Guidance for BEAD and Beyond.
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding is a transformative opportunity for broadband providers and the unserved Americans who stand to benefit. Let Vantage Point’s team guide you in making the most of this unprecedented funding opportunity.
BEAD the Clock: Tomorrow’s Plans, Today
5 Steps to Access $42.5 Billion in Broadband Funding
BEAD funding—the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program – is not a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for broadband providers. It’s a “once” opportunity, and the clock is already ticking.
While policymakers and state offices finalize their plans in the coming months, network operators must take action now, focusing on five critical areas of preparation.
1. Look at the Map
Where do you want to expand? Examine your existing territory, strategic plans, and eligibility maps to identify potential areas of application. Vantage Point recommends a “go big or go home” attitude: you can always slim down your vision, but it’s hard to expand your plans later.
2. Develop Preliminary Plans
What does your preliminary network layout look like?
- Greenfield fiber?
- An upgrade?
- Buried or aerial construction?
- If it’s aerial, is make-ready necessary?
- Is it all contained in one state or multiple?
Answering these questions allows you to develop initial engineering designs necessary for strategizing for BEAD applications. The initial designs also allow for capital expenditure estimates and pre-planning construction hurdles.
- How much will it cost to build?
- How will inflation and prevailing wage requirements impact the cost?
- What services will be offered?
- Do you have additional building obligations to work around?
- Can you get a start on permitting or environmental headaches?
With Vantage Point, you don’t have to wait for state guidelines to start wrestling with these issues.
3. Financial Feasibility
With CapEx estimates established, conducting a project-specific feasibility analysis will help prioritize areas to maximize application scoring. Take a 10-year outlook, factoring in end-user revenues to determine the minimum funding required. This long-term perspective strengthens your scoring strategy, enabling a more competitive application.
4. Cybersecurity & Supply Chain Risk Management
A Cybersecurity Risk Management Plan and a Supply Chain Risk Management Plan are essential requirements for BEAD. Implementing these plans now removes them from your to-do list and ensures readiness, as both must be operational—or prepared to be—by the time services launch.
Remember, these plans must be submitted to the state before funds are allocated.
5. Engage Community Leaders
Building relationships and trust takes time, so start these conversations before you ‘need’ them.
- Engage local leaders about their community’s needs.
- Discuss the potential impact of a BEAD-funded network.
- Explore the economic benefits it could bring.
These discussions might involve city, county, or township officials, local stakeholders, anchor institutions, or influential community members.
Discover Vantage Point as Your BEAD Partner
BEAD: Compliance & Reporting
No need to worry—we’re here to help. Join Vantage Point Senior Analyst Tammie Herrlein as she covers 3 key aspects of BEAD compliance and reporting:
- Locations
- Low-Cost Options
- Service Attributes
BEAD: Workforce Requirements
BEAD is a “once “opportunity with extensive requirements, including workforce provisions that may be uncharted territory for ISPs. Vantage Point Analyst Shelby Pardy offers a framework to help navigate this crucial aspect of your application.
BEAD: Build America, Buy America (BABA)
The Build America, Buy America Act introduces new material procurement and sourcing requirements, but this isn’t our first time navigating these rules. Vantage Point’s Assistant Director of Engineering, Eric Rajchel, P.E., shares how our team is ready to guide you on the path to BEAD funding.
BEAD: Cybersecurity & Supply Chain Risk Management
Cybersecurity and supply chain risk management are critical requirements for BEAD applications, and these plans must be operational before funding is awarded. Andy Deinert, Director of Network & Security Services, dives into the details.
BEAD: Partnerships
Kristy Szabo, Director of Consulting at Vantage Point Solutions, explores how strategic partnerships can strengthen your BEAD application. Building trust takes time, and there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Vantage Point provides the tools to help you identify and cultivate valuable partnership opportunities.
BEAD: Area Eligibility & Strategy
BEAD presents a valuable opportunity, yet many companies are unsure where to begin. Join Nathan Weber, P.E., VP of Engineering, as he outlines steps to identify eligible areas for your company.
BEAD: State Challenge Process
Mikaela Burma, JD, Manager of Regulatory at Vantage Point, discusses the BEAD State Challenge Process, emphasizing the importance of location accuracy in award decisions—and how you can contribute to ensuring that accuracy.
BEAD Rules Are Out. What Now?
Action time is here—for BEAD and beyond. The industry is abuzz with the release of the NOFO for upcoming BEAD funding, but now it’s time to move beyond the excitement and act. Our guidance is twofold: first, practical steps for BEAD, and second, a strategic approach to all funding opportunities.
Next Steps
State Broadband Offices should now be preparing their Letters of Intent (LOI) to participate in BEAD. Vantage Point advises contacting your State Broadband Office directly or through your State Association to ensure the LOI process is on track. As with any funding program, waiting isn’t an option for providers—acting now puts you ahead in securing these critical resources.
Memo: BDC PE Certification Waiver Extended
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended the Professional Engineer (PE) certification waiver for Broadband Data Collection (BDC) with specific conditions. Passed in 2020, the Broadband DATA Act mandated the FCC to establish rules for biannual data collection on the availability and quality of broadband Internet access.
This ongoing data collection and the resulting BDC map are critical foundations for determining eligible locations in upcoming federal grant programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These new requirements underscore the importance of accurate data in shaping broadband funding awards and ensuring resources reach unserved and underserved communities.
Memo: FCC Releases BEAD State & Tribal Engagement Guidance for Enhanced A-CAM and Other High-Cost Support Recipients
On November 29, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice offering guidance for High-Cost support recipients to coordinate with states and Tribal governments to prevent funding overlaps with the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. High-Cost support programs—such as Enhanced A-CAM, RDOF, CAF Phase II Auction, Bringing Puerto Rico Together Fund, and the Connect USVI Fund—require recipients to actively engage with their state broadband offices.
This includes participating in BEAD Program challenge processes and providing the information requested by the states to support BEAD Program advancement and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
Memo: BEAD Funding Allocations Announced
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced state funding allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program yesterday. Funding is distributed based on BEAD criteria and the number of unserved and underserved locations identified in the FCC Broadband Map. Details on state-by-state allocations are available in the NTIA press release.
For further insights, download the full VPS memo, which includes information on Program Administration, Immediate Recommended Actions, a Funding Map by State, and more.
VPS Memo – BEAD Funding Allocations
Additional resources:
BEAD: Summer 2023 Guidance
- When will more information on BEAD funding be available?
- How soon will applications open?
- What can providers do right now?
Nathan Weber, PE, addresses these questions and more, offering insights on how to make the most of this unique opportunity. According to Weber, BEAD isn’t just a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ chance—it’s a true ‘ONCE’ opportunity.
Key BEAD timelines are fast approaching. By the end of June 2023, final maps guiding funding allocations will be released, with state funding allocations to follow shortly after. These steps are setting the stage for the upcoming application launch.
Whitepaper: Can Unlicensed Wireless Solve the Digital Divide?
Can unlicensed wireless bridge the digital divide? A recent white paper from the Fiber Broadband Association delivers a clear answer: ‘No.’
Authored by Larry Thompson, PE, CEO of Vantage Point Solutions, the paper examines the essential capabilities required to meet current and future broadband needs, assessing the physical and economic limitations of unlicensed wireless in achieving these goals. Thompson also addresses the social dimensions of the digital divide, exploring why wireless network performance claims often fall short.
The debate over the best approach to closing the digital divide continues as the nation navigates BEAD and similar initiatives.
Memo: $65 Billion for Broadband Development
$65 Billion for Broadband Expansion in Unserved and Underserved Areas
On November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Infrastructure Bill, was signed into law, marking a significant investment in broadband infrastructure. The bulk of this $65 billion allocation will flow through the new Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, with $42 billion directed to individual states and managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Commerce Department. Additionally, the Infrastructure Bill establishes a Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, allocating $1 billion in grants for the construction, improvement, etc.
