Broadband Deployment

3rd Tuesday 2pm ET Join the Group

The Broadband Deployment Policy Group discusses federal and state broadband programs to promote the deployment of open, high-quality broadband infrastructure across the country. The Group advocates for policies that expand broadband investment for anchor institutions and unserved and underserved communities by the private sector and by non-profit providers such as research and education networks and municipalities.

February Meeting Summary

February 18, 2025: SHLB will draft a letter to NTIA advocating for categorical exclusions in environmental and historical reviews to speed up broadband deployment. Discussion also covered BEAD progress, with three states completing the process and receiving funding authorization.

A new Pew report outlined four ways to accelerate broadband deployment, though recommendations lacked specific actions. Participants also noted that NTIA has not made significant progress on grants since January, raising concerns about delays and the impact of leadership transitions.

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.

Past Guest Speakers

Roy Hoover, Consultant, Hoover Technology Consulting

Broadband Deployment Group Focal Areas

The Group will focus primarily on federal programs, such as the BEAD, CPF and RDOF programs run by NTIA, Treasury Department and the FCC respectively. The Group will also review state broadband maps and other state broadband initiatives to drive broadband investment that benefit anchor institutions. The Group will also discuss and support regulatory changes that can drive greater broadband deployment, such as pole attachments, open access, tax relief and other policies to promote broadband investment to solve the digital divide.

2024 Activities