NTIA Releases Final BEAD Alternative Technologies Guidance

NTIA released its final guidance Thursday on the use of BEAD funding to deploy alternative broadband technologies. The agency sought comment in August, with some seeking flexibility in the program's rules to support deployment of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and unlicensed fixed wireless technology (see 2409110066). LEO providers will be reimbursed based on "either subscriber milestones or the number of locations in a project area" and program rules were amended to "better facilitate" provider participation, said a news release.