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Senators press nominee on BEAD rollout, tech neutrality and state plans for $42 billion broadband program
Summary
Senators at the Commerce Committee hearing pressed Ariel Roth on the pace and rules for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, raising concerns about delays, program requirements, state plans already approved and whether the administration will preserve state flexibility on technology choices.
Senators at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing focused extensive questioning on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, the $42 billion broadband grant program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Chairing the hearing, a senator cited the program's funding figure and criticized past implementation: "Hear that again, dollars 42,000,000,000 to connect 0 human beings," a committee member said, pressing the nominee on whether the administration would remove requirements that some members called extraneous and expedite deployment. In response, Ariel Roth said, "I want the BEAD program to be a success. I want to connect every remaining American who currently lacks access to high speed Internet as expeditiously, efficiently, and effectively as possible." She also said she would "abide by the law."
Several members…
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