Here’s the translation of the text into American English:
High-speed internet access in the United States could be on the verge of experiencing a significant change with the potential reconfiguration of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which manages $42.45 billion in grants to expand broadband infrastructure. With the recent nomination of Arielle Roth to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the program’s emphasis on expanding fiber optic networks may be diminished in favor of other technologies such as cable, fixed wireless networks, and satellite services.
A Shift in Broadband Expansion Strategy
The BEAD program, created in 2021 during the Biden administration, has prioritized the deployment of fiber optic networks as the most sustainable and long-term solution to ensure high-speed connectivity nationwide. However, the Republican administration has expressed concerns about what they perceive as a technological bias in the allocation of these funds.
Senator Ted Cruz, a critic of the current strategy, has advocated for a more “neutral” distribution of funds, arguing that the focus on fiber optics excludes other viable technological options. According to Roth, the current administration has imposed “extralegal requirements” that hinder participation from certain providers and raise program costs.
While fiber optics has been considered the most viable option by the NTIA due to its scalability, durability, and efficiency, a shift in the direction of the program could reroute funds toward cable operators, fixed wireless internet services, and satellite providers like SpaceX’s Starlink.
Impact on the Country’s Digital Infrastructure
The possible change in focus could affect municipalities and public broadband networks, which currently have priority in the BEAD funding allocation. The incoming administration at the NTIA could eliminate this preference, favoring large private operators.
This change would also benefit satellite and wireless network providers, whose participation has been limited under the current program structure. Companies like SpaceX, which tried to secure $886 million in grants to expand Starlink, could have a second chance under the new leadership.
Challenges in Regulation and Service Pricing
One of the most controversial points of the BEAD program has been the requirement to offer a low-cost broadband service option for low-income families. The NTIA under the Biden administration had urged states to establish a $30 monthly flat rate for these services.
However, both internet providers and Republican lawmakers have criticized this rule, arguing that it amounts to price regulation not contemplated in the original legislation. Roth has indicated that she will review this requirement, which could mean the elimination of the obligation to offer low-cost options, directly impacting millions of low-income households.
The Future of Connectivity in the U.S.
According to an article from Ars Technica, this change in grant policy could represent a setback in efforts to ensure equitable internet access, as prioritizing less robust technologies than fiber optics could limit the capacity for long-term expansion of digital infrastructure.
In contrast, lobbying groups representing cable and wireless internet providers have welcomed Roth’s nomination, hoping that the new direction of the program will provide them with greater access to federal funds.
The debate over the implementation of the BEAD program continues, and its evolution will be key to determining how the $42.45 billion in connectivity investments will be allocated in the coming years. With a change in leadership at the NTIA and a potential reevaluation of program rules, the future of broadband infrastructure in the U.S. may be poised for a dramatic shift.