Rural and Urban Broadband Boost: Biden-Harris Administration Unveils Allocation of BEAD Program Funding
- June 29, 2023
- Aviat Networks Blog, BEAD Program, Broadband
In a significant development for the future of American broadband, the Biden-Harris Administration has made public the state-by-state allocation for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. As a key part of their mission to expand reliable, affordable high-speed internet access, this plan allocates a colossal $42.45 billion in federal broadband funding to states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
The BEAD Program and Its Goals
Created under the aegis of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the BEAD program seeks to bridge the digital divide by accelerating the deployment of high-speed internet infrastructure across the United States. By focusing on equity and access, the BEAD program strives to address disparities in digital connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
Recognizing the critical role of the internet in daily life, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking concrete steps to ensure everyone, irrespective of their geographical location, has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. The BEAD program, a centerpiece of this digital equity initiative, is the largest single investment in broadband infrastructure in American history.
Unveiling the Allocation Plan
In a joint announcement at the White House, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris provided an overview of the state-by-state allocation. The funds will be used to administer state-level grant programs that will underpin the infrastructure expansion necessary for high-speed internet access. State allocations range from $27 million to over $3.3 billion, and every state will receive a minimum of $107 million. The full list of allocations can be viewed at this link.
“This announcement is a watershed moment for millions across America lacking access to a high-speed internet connection,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information Alan Davidson. Emphasizing the necessity of high-speed internet today, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Infrastructure Coordinator, Mitch Landrieu, drew parallels between this initiative and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Act, a transformative initiative that brought electricity to almost every American home.
Implications of BEAD Funding Allocation
By creating the BEAD program, the Biden-Harris Administration recognizes that high-speed internet is not a luxury but a necessity for Americans to participate equally in work, school, healthcare, and staying connected with family and friends. The allocated funds will serve to stimulate the economy by creating jobs and encouraging private sector investment in the deployment of broadband networks.
Manufacturers have already announced expansions of their domestic manufacturing capacity, a move that is expected to create hundreds of well-paid jobs. These initiatives underscore the potential of BEAD program funding to catalyze positive economic ripple effects.
Beyond the BEAD Program
While the BEAD program is a vital element of the Biden-Harris administration’s digital equity strategy, it is not the only effort in play. Other initiatives include the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the Digital Equity Act, and the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Together, these complementary initiatives aim to build out high-speed internet infrastructure, provide subsidies for eligible households, and enhance digital skills, respectively.
Looking Ahead
The unveiling of the state-by-state BEAD funding allocation marks a critical step in the Biden-Harris administration’s ambitious drive to bring high-speed internet to every American by the end of the decade. The groundwork has been laid for a substantial boost to rural and urban broadband, setting the stage for digital transformation and economic growth.
By dedicating unprecedented funding to bridge the digital divide, the Biden-Harris administration signals its commitment to ensuring all Americans, regardless of location or income level, can participate in our increasingly digital society. As President Biden and Vice President Harris continue their Investing in America tour, this announcement serves as a powerful reminder of their dedication to driving America’s digital future.
Source: White House
Connecting Utah: Aviat Networks Powers Utah Broadband
- May 23, 2023
- Aviat Networks Blog, case study, multi-band radio, multi-band technology, Utah Broadband, WTM 4800
Utah Broadband is a local company that has been providing excellent broadband services to communities and businesses in Salt Lake, Davis, Tooele, Weber, Summit, and Wasatch counties in Utah for almost 20 years. With innovative technology, the company provides data links up to 10 GB.
Utah Broadband is revolutionizing the way people access the internet in rural and suburban areas by rolling out Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology. The company aims to offer high-speed and advanced internet services to its customers.
However, delivering such services requires reliable high-speed connectivity and redundancy. This is where Utah Broadband faced a challenge.
Aviat’s Multi-Band Radio Aids Utah Broadband in Expanding Network
To overcome this challenge, Utah Broadband turned to Aviat Networks and its WTM 4800 Multi-Band Radio solution. Aviat’s Multi-Band Radio is a single box solution that delivers 10 Gbps on the network backbone, combining high capacity and high reliability allowing Utah Broadband to deliver up to 1 Gbps service per subscriber. With the multi-band technology, Utah Broadband can reach new tower locations that were previously unattainable and reduce the total number of sites required.
The Multi-Band Radio solution also provides Utah Broadband with greater flexibility in choosing new tower locations, as it combines millimeter wave and microwave frequencies in the same radio unit. Mike Simmons, Vice President of Wireless Engineering at Utah Broadband, has stated that the microwave portion of the solution delivers “very high reliability in all weather conditions.”
In addition to the Multi-Band Radio solution, Utah Broadband also uses AviatCloud’s services, such as the Aviat Design link planning tool and the Aviat Store for ordering additional radios. The ordering process is easy, and the company can have a radio shipped within a business day if it is in stock.
If you are interested in learning more about Utah Broadband’s journey and the impact of Aviat’s Multi-Band Radio solution, you can download the full case study. Find out how this local company is revolutionizing the way people access the internet in rural and suburban areas, and how Aviat’s technology is helping them to do so.
Welcome to the Wireless Transmission Blog
- January 26, 2011
- 4G, Aviat Networks, Aviat Networks Blog, Eclipse, Wireless Backhaul, Wireless Transmission Blog
Here at Aviat Networks we are focused on everything that is wireless transmission. With so much happening in the wireless industry, we wanted to join in the conversation and share our experiences and insights on the trends, technology, and business.
If you are reading this inaugural blog post it is likely we have a lot in common. While the main purpose of this blog is to talk about wireless transmission, we will also cover topics such as network evolution, software usability, services, and more.
Our initial blog posts will cover topics leading up to Mobile World Congress 2011. Over the course of the next three weeks, we will offer timely coverage and video excerpts from the show to keep you up-to-speed on the latest and greatest.
We encourage you to be part of the conversation since just hearing from us would be like having a conversation with ourselves. New viewpoints and constructive feedback are always welcome and we looking forward to hearing from you!
The Aviat Networks Team