0:00 → 5:10(5m 10s)
Members of the Calhoun County Broadband Task Force met to review ongoing work on federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funding, hear a state and federal regulatory update from county telecom counsel, coordinate letters of support for local Internet service provider (ISP) BEAD applications and receive a digital equity subcommittee report on device distribution and training. The task force discussed mapping and eligibility (about 14,000 eligible locations in the county), deadlines for BEAD applications (early April) and the potential impact of proposed federal rule changes to allow more fixed wireless and satellite solutions. Members agreed the county will support ISPs submitting BEAD applications and discussed the process for securing local letters of support and board authorizations.
