1. Delays in getting broadband to the folks. Some states are on the 1 yard line. A bunch are on the 5 yard line. Extra might be getting there each week. These more-sweeping adjustments will solely trigger delays. The administration may repair the issues with this system by way of waiver and keep away from slowdowns. Shovels may already be within the floor in three states, and so they might be within the floor in half the nation by the summer time with out the proposed adjustments to mission choice.
2. Extra folks will get Starlink/Kuiper, and fewer folks will get fiber connection. This might be dramatic, or it might be measured, relying on the place the admin units the brink restrict, and whether or not states are permitted to award initiatives above the brand new threshold on the premise of worth per greenback, or in the event that they’re pressured to take the most cost effective proposal, even when it supplies poorer service.
3. The three states with accepted Ultimate Proposals stay in limbo. They’re presently held in NIST assessment concerning their proposed FPFRs (the budgets accompanying their accepted last proposals).
This is unnecessary – these states are able to go, and so they bought the job achieved on time, on funds, and have plans that obtain common protection. If the administration cares about getting shovels within the floor, states with accepted Ultimate Proposals ought to transfer ahead, ASAP.
4. West Virginia (and shortly extra states) who’ve accomplished their work, however don’t have accepted Ultimate Proposals additionally stay in limbo. They’ve a last proposal able to go that will get distinctive service to all West Virginia houses and companies. Just like the three states with accepted Ultimate Proposals, solely the present administration stands between them and getting shovels within the floor. If the administration cares about getting issues achieved, they need to enable any state that comes ahead with a Ultimate Proposal beneath the outdated guidelines within the subsequent couple of months transfer ahead with that plan.
5. No choice has been made about how a lot of the present progress the 30 states who’re already performing subgrantee choice ought to be allowed to maintain. The administration merely can not say whether or not the time, taxpayer funds, and personal capital that have been spent on these processes might be wasted and the way a lot states must re-do.
6. The wi-fi trade might be, successfully, shut out of the BEAD program. There might be few, if any, places which can be above any new value restrict that may have the ability to be extra cheaply served by mounted wi-fi than low earth satellites.
